Tuesday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Tuesday, February 10.
San Antonio Spurs at New Jersey Nets, 7:35PM ET
A night off for the San Antonio Spurs’ three stars paid major dividends in their latest game, a victory over the NBA champions during which the Spurs were at their best during a fourth-quarter comeback.
San Antonio hasn’t needed too many late surges when it’s faced the New Jersey Nets in recent years.
The red-hot Spurs continue their eight-game road trip Tuesday looking for their 13th straight victory over the Nets, who hope to have Vince Carter back in their lineup.
Coach Gregg Popovich’s decision not to play Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker last Tuesday in Denver raised some eyebrows, and San Antonio (34-15) went on to lose after needing overtime to win in Golden State the night before.
No one’s questioning that decision anymore after the third game of the Spurs’ annual rodeo road trip. Trailing by three with 45 seconds left in Boston on Sunday, San Antonio went on an 11-0 run and knocked off the Celtics 105-99.
NBA Free Pick: San Antonio – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:05PM ET
There aren’t many compelling subplots in a contest between the Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves these days. A Chris Bosh matchup with Al Jefferson would certainly top the list if they weren’t both hurt.
The Raptors, losers of six straight, will likely be without Bosh on Tuesday night as they try to extend an eight-game winning streak over a lowly Timberwolves team that will be without Jefferson for an extended period of time.
On Sunday night, Jefferson had to be helped off the court in the final 30 seconds as Minnesota (17-33) lost 101-97 to New Orleans.
Jefferson, who is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder at 23.1 points and 11 boards per game, landed awkwardly on his right leg after attempting to block a dunk attempt. He is out indefinitely with a torn ACL in his right knee, and a date for surgery has not been set.
NBA Free Pick: Toronto – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors, 10:35PM ET
A difficult stretch of schedule has slowed the New York Knicks’ surprising push toward a playoff spot, and a road game against the Golden State Warriors looks a lot tougher than it did a few months ago.
The Knicks try to avoid a fifth straight loss Tuesday as two of the NBA’s highest-scoring teams meet in what’s likely to be an entertaining shootout.
New York (21-29) had started to come together recently under first-year coach Mike D’Antoni, winning six of seven going into last week. The Knicks, though, were swept on a three-game homestand by the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland and Boston – the three best teams in the NBA.
New York opened a three-game West Coast trip Sunday with a 109-108 defeat at Portland, blowing a 13-point fourth-quarter lead and losing on Brandon Roy’s buzzer-beating layup.
The Knicks trail New Jersey by two games for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but they’re still optimistic after staying close to the Cavaliers and Celtics and nearly beating the Blazers, who are 19-5 at home.
NBA Free Pick: UNDER – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
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Posted: 2/10/09 10:12AM ET