Sunday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, April 12.
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors, 6:05PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers don’t have to worry about missing out on the playoffs. They do, however, have to worry about ending up with the last seed in the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers look to avoid losing a season-high fifth straight Sunday when they visit the Toronto Raptors.
With three games remaining, Philadelphia (40-39) has hardly looked like a team ready to begin the playoffs. The 76ers have dropped four in a row since claiming a postseason spot, including 100-92 to Cleveland on Friday.
They have averaged just 89.0 points during the skid. On Friday, Andre Iguodala scored 26, but Philadelphia never led after the opening quarter. It cut the lead to 76-74 in the fourth before the Cavaliers pulled away to earn the East’s top seed.
The Sixers haven’t lost five straight since dropping seven in a row Jan. 2-14, 2008. They’ve had three other four-game losing streaks this season.
NBA Free Pick: Toronto – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +PK SPORTSBETTING.COM
San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings, 9:05PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs are heading to the playoffs for the 12th straight time, but unlike previous seasons, they’ve been stumbling down the stretch instead of gaining momentum for a title run.
Despite their recent struggles, they still have a chance to host a first-round series.
The Spurs look to build on an important victory over a playoff-bound team and move into a first-place tie atop the Southwest Division when they visit the NBA-worst Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
San Antonio (51-28) has averaged nearly 59 victories over the past eight seasons, but injuries to Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have made wins harder to come by.
The Spurs had lost four of their previous six before pulling out a 105-99 victory over Utah on Friday night. Parker finished with a game-high 31 points, while Duncan had 14 points and nine rebounds after finishing with a season-low four points in Wednesday’s 95-83 loss to Portland.
NBA Free Pick: San Antonio – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -10 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:35PM ET
The Los Angeles Lakers are still chasing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. In order to achieve that goal, they’ll need to take advantage of their final two regular-season games at Staples Center – and get some help.
After a tough loss, Los Angeles looks for its first sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in six years Sunday as it tries to improve its chances of finishing with the NBA’s best record.
The Lakers (63-17) lost 106-98 at Portland on Friday, snapping a five-game winning streak and falling 1 1/2 games behind Cleveland for the best record in the league and home court throughout the playoffs. They have two games remaining while the Cavaliers have three.
Kobe Bryant scored 32 but missed a key 3-pointer, had a crucial turnover and missed another 3 all during the final minute.
NBA Free Pick: LA Lakers – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -11.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM
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Posted: 4/12/09 10:37AM ET