Sunday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, February 22.
Charlotte Bobcats at Houston Rockets, 5:05PM ET
The Houston Rockets know they’ll have a hard time replacing Tracy McGrady, who will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
Based on Aaron Brooks’ play in his last game, though, the Rockets must feel a lot better about finding a substitute for the other missing member of their starting backcourt.
Brooks looks to build on a strong debut as Houston’s starting point guard as the Rockets go for their fourth straight win – and sixth straight against the Charlotte Bobcats – on Sunday at the Toyota Center.
Brooks stepped into the starting lineup and had 19 points with six rebounds and eight assists in a 93-86 win over Dallas on Friday night. He was 7-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3-point range in Houston’s first game since trading Rafer Alston to Orlando on Thursday as part of a three-team deal.
NBA Free Pick: Houston – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:05PM ET
Without their starting center, the Los Angeles Lakers keep driving forward. The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, have been lost without their big man.
The Lakers look for their fourth straight win overall and fourth in a row at the Target Center on Sunday night when they face a Timberwolves team trying to stop a five-game slide at home.
Los Angeles (45-10), winners of 14 of 16, open a two-game trip following Friday’s 115-111 overtime victory over New Orleans. Kobe Bryant scored 39 points – 11 in the extra five minutes – as the Lakers improved to 8-1 since Andrew Bynum tore the MCL in his right knee in a 115-98 win over Memphis on Jan. 31.
Bynum could miss up to 12 weeks. Since Bynum’s injury, Bryant – averaging 27.6 points this season – is scoring 32.4 points per game.
If the Timberwolves didn’t realize how valuable Al Jefferson was to their success, they do now. Minnesota (18-36) has lost five straight at home for its longest such skid since dropping nine in a row at the Target Center from Nov. 21-Dec. 27.
Minnesota is 1-3 since Jefferson tore the ACL in his right knee in a 101-97 loss at New Orleans on Feb. 8. He was leading the Timberwolves with averages of 23.1 points and 11.0 rebounds.
NBA Free Pick: Minnesota – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers, 8:05PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t get LeBron James any additional help at the trade deadline. If his performance in their latest game is any indication, he doesn’t need any.
James will look to deliver an encore to his 55-point effort Sunday night when the Cavaliers host the sputtering Detroit Pistons, who are trying to avoid their first six-game losing streak in more than five years.
General manager Danny Ferry decided to stand pat at Thursday’s trade deadline, figuring Cleveland (42-11) would be in good shape to earn the Eastern Conference’s top seed with its current roster.
The Cavaliers played their first game after the All-Star break without power forward Ben Wallace, who had a lacerated arm, and Delonte West, who had been out since Jan. 15 with a fractured wrist.
Wallace returned Friday and West is due back soon – though he’ll likely miss Sunday’s game – but all Cleveland mostly needed in Milwaukee was James. The NBA’s leading scorer had a season-high 55, hitting 8 of 11 3-pointers and adding nine assists, as the Cavaliers beat the Bucks 111-103.
NBA Free Pick: Detroit – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
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Posted: 2/22/09 7:00AM ET