Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, February 25.
Chicago Bulls at New Jersey Nets, 7:35PM ET
The last time the Chicago Bulls won consecutive road games against the New Jersey Nets, Michael Jordan was about to lead them to their most recent NBA title in his final season with the team.
Simply looking to reach the postseason this time, the Bulls try to do it again Wednesday night against the Nets, who hope to build off an improbable victory in their last contest.
Chicago's 100-87 win at New Jersey on Dec. 29 snapped a 13-game road losing streak in the series. It was the Bulls' second victory in 18 games in New Jersey.
"It was crazy, man, crazy, that it had been that long," said Bulls guard Ben Gordon after the team's first victory there since April 17, 2001.
The Bulls (26-31) haven't won two straight over the Nets on the road since the Jordan-led team did it during the 1997-98 season.
Though Chicago is coming off a 120-102 rout of Southeast Division-leading Orlando on Tuesday, repeating that feat in New Jersey likely won't be easy.
Chicago has lost three of its last five on the road since winning three in a row away from home. The Nets (25-32), meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing steak after Devin Harris' 47-footer beat the buzzer for a 98-96 win over Philadelphia on Monday.
NBA Free Pick: New Jersey – Best Line: -2 Sports Interaction
Milwaukee Bucks at Dallas Mavericks, 8:35PM ET
After suffering another road loss, the Dallas Mavericks are probably glad to be playing in their own building for the next few days.
The Mavericks open a three-game stretch at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night against a Milwaukee Bucks team that has lost five straight in Dallas.
Dallas (33-23) was among the league's best home teams last season, posting a 34-7 record en route to clinching its eighth straight playoff berth.
The Mavericks are again finding success in Dallas, where they are 19-4 since a four-game losing streak at the start of the season. That strong play has helped keep them in the postseason mix, as they're eighth in the Western Conference.
But Dallas has found difficulty winning on the road, where it is 4-9 since the start of the current calendar year. The Mavericks dropped their third straight away from home Tuesday night, 93-76 to San Antonio.
NBA Free Pick: Dallas – Best Line: -7 Sports Interaction
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs, 8:35PM ET
Playing their first home game in nearly a month, the San Antonio Spurs beat a division rival. The homecoming win was marred, however, by another injury to one of the team's star players.
The Spurs could be without Tim Duncan for a second consecutive game Wednesday night when they try for their 11th straight home win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Duncan was scratched a half-hour before tip-off Tuesday night because of a sore right knee, and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after the game he didn't know the severity of the injury. Popovich said Duncan would be evaluated by doctors Wednesday morning, putting his status for this game in doubt.
The coach also said his All-Star forward appeared fine Tuesday morning but was stiff and had trouble getting loose while warming up. Duncan, who was walking around the locker room before Tuesday's contest, was not on the bench during the game.
NBA Free Pick: UNDER – Best Line: O/U 184.5 Sports Interaction