Fadeaway World is coming off a triumphant 5-2 record over last night’s NBA action, improving our season record to 341-186, giving us a 64.7% rate of accuracy so far this year. We’ll try and improve on it with the NBA bringing a slate of eight games for fans on Friday night.
- Boston Celtics At Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM EST
- Oklahoma City Thunder At Toronto Raptors – 7:00 PM EST
- New Orleans Pelicans At Miami Heat – 8:00 PM EST
- Minnesota Timberwolves At Cleveland Cavaliers – 8:00 PM EST
- Memphis Grizzlies At San Antonio Spurs – 8:00 PM EST
- Indiana Pacers At Golden State Warriors – 10:00 PM EST
- Los Angeles Clippers At Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 PM EST
- Philadelphia 76ers At Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 PM EST
Multiple key matchups for playoff positioning will be taking place, headlined by the clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. The Los Angeles Clippers will also be in action in addition to teams like the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and New Orleans Pelicans, among others.
As 16 teams look to move one step closer to the end of the regular season, let’s see how our expert picks and predictions play out.
Boston Celtics At Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM EST
Celtics Last 10 Games: 8-2
Pistons Last 10 Games: 3-7
Celtics Injuries: Jayson Tatum – Day To Day (Ankle), Jaylen Brown – Day To Day (Ankle), Kristaps Porzingis – Day To Day (Hamstring), Al Horford – Day To Day (Toe), Sam House – Day To Day (Ankle), Jrue Holiday – Out (Shoulder)
Pistons Injuries: Quentin Grimes – Out (Knee), Ausar Thompson – Out (Blood Clot), Taj Gibson – Out (Hamstring), Simone Fontecchio – Out (Toe), Isaiah Stewart – Out (Hamstring), Stanley Umude – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 5-0
The Boston Celtics (55-14) are currently a class apart, sitting on a 10.5-game lead ahead of the No. 2 seed in the East. They need to put their foot on the throttle and prioritize ending the regular season strong to establish themselves as the biggest title threats. A matchup against a low-seeded team can be tricky, but this Celtics squad with Jayson Tatum rarely drops games like this.
The Detroit Pistons (12-57) had an early-season highlight by nearly beating the Celtics in a matchup in December, but have been on the opposite end of the success spectrum all season long. Even with their fighting spirit and recent improvements, the Celtics are arguably the most difficult team to beat in the NBA right now.
Prediction: Celtics def. Pistons 127-103
Oklahoma City Thunder At Toronto Raptors – 7:00 PM EST
Thunder Last 10 Games: 7-3
Raptors Last 10 Games: 1-9
Thunder Injuries: N/A
Raptors Injuries: Scottie Barnes – Out (Hand), R.J. Barrett – Out (Personal), Immanuel Quickley – Out (Personal), Jakob Poeltl – Out (Hand), Chris Boucher – Out (Knee), D.J. Carton – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 3-2
The Oklahoma City Thunder (48-20) cannot afford to drop games as the race for the No. 1 seed in the West heats up. They’re currently tied with the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets, who have only lost two games since the All-Star break. As a result, the Thunder with MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look to maximize a result against a weakened opponent.
The Toronto Raptors (23-46) are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in over a decade, with mid-season trades and a new rebuild severely impacting the team. With multiple starters out for various reasons, the Raptors will hope to see some good production from players like Gradey Dick but are unlikely to get a good result here.
Prediction: Thunder def. Raptors 119-94
New Orleans Pelicans At Miami Heat – 8:00 PM EST
Pelicans Last 10 Games: 7-3
Heat Last 10 Games: 5-5
Pelicans Injuries: Brandon Ingram – Day To Day (Knee), Dyson Daniels – Out (Knee), Matt Ryan – Out (Illness)
Heat Injuries: Bam Adebayo – Day To Day (Back), Kevin Love – Out (Heel), Tyler Herro – Out (Foot), Josh Richardson – Out (Shoulder), Duncan Robinson – Out (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 5-0
The New Orleans Pelicans (42-27) have been one of the most consistent teams of the last two months but fell to a tough loss at the hands of the Magic last night. They’ll hope to take at least one win from their Florida road trip in their next game. Brandon Ingram’s knee injury casts a dark shadow over the team but Zion Williamson‘s sensational play could lift spirits quickly.
The Miami Heat (38-31) have been unable to solidify a spot in the top six of the East, currently, half a game behind the Pacers and needing as many wins as they can muster. But Jimmy Butler and Co. have had horrible injury luck for most of the season, With Bam Adebayo possibly missing this contest, it’s hard to see how the Heat can defuse the Pelicans.
Prediction: Pelicans def. Heat 109-97
Minnesota Timberwolves At Cleveland Cavaliers – 8:00 PM EST
Wolves Last 10 Games: 5-5
Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 4-6
Wolves Injuries: Anthony Edwards – Day To Day (Finger), Naz Reid – Day To Day (Head), Rudy Gobert – Out (Ribs), Karl-Anthony Towns – Out (Knee), Jaylen Clark – Out (Achilles)
Cavaliers Injuries: Evan Mobley – Out (Ankle), Ty Jerome – Out (Ankle), Max Strus – Out (Knee), Dean Wade – Out (Knee), Donovan Mitchell – Out (Nose)
Last 5 Meetings: Wolves Lead 3-2
The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-22) are trying to stay alive in the race for the No. 1 seed in the West but have fallen 1.5 games behind. Anthony Edwards has been trying to keep them among the best in the West, but the limited roster cannot hold up Denver or OKC. Nonetheless, they’ve been a tough out for every opponent and that won’t change in their next game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (43-26) haven’t looked like the East contenders many believed they could be since Donovan Mitchell went down with injury. With Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and more also expected to miss this game, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen will have to take advantage of their similarly shorthanded opponent. But Edwards could be the difference-maker in this matchup.
Prediction: Wolves def. Cavaliers 108-103
Memphis Grizzlies At San Antonio Spurs – 8:00 PM EST
Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 3-7
Spurs Last 10 Games: 4-6
Grizzlies Injuries: Desmond Bane – Day To Day (Back), John Kochar – Day To Day (Heel), Luke Kennard – Out (Personal), Scotty Pippen Jr. – Out (Leg), Brandon Clarke – Out (Achilles), Lamar Stevens – Out (Thigh), Vince Williams Jr. – Out (Knee), Yuta Watanabe – Out (Personal), Derrick Rose – Out (Pubis), Ziarie Williams – Out (Hip), Marcus Smart – Out (Finger), Ja Morant – Out (Shoulder)
Spurs Injuries: Zach Collins – Out (Concussion), Charles Bassey – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 5-0
The Memphis Grizzlies (23-47) made history by playing the most players for any team in the modern era when they played Maozinha Pereira in their last game. The injury-hit franchise is settling into the Draft lottery but will look to make a statement against a similarly downtrodden team but one that has their star healthy and available.
The San Antonio Spurs (15-54) have been the worst team in the West all year but are must-watch TV because of Victor Wembanyama. The team also has built continuity and head into this game with a mostly healthy roster. Unless the Grizz manage to outmuscle the Spurs thoroughly, this will be San Antonio’s game to lose.
Prediction: Spurs def. Grizzlies 114-106
Indiana Pacers At Golden State Warriors – 10:00 PM EST
Pacers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Warriors Last 10 Games: 5-5
Pacers Injuries: Obi Toppin – Day To Day (Ankle), Bennedict Mathurin – Out (Shoulder)
Warriors Injuries: Draymond Green – Day To Day (Back), Moses Moody – Day To Day (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 3-2
The Indiana Pacers (39-31) have been one of the streakiest teams in the NBA this season, evidenced by their inability to create a gap and leave the struggling Heat behind outside the top six. Tyrese Haliburton will hope his shot finds some way of coming back as he faces off against a team he expected would draft him.
The Golden State Warriors (36-32) are pushing on to earn a top-eight seed in the West at least. They’re currently 3.5 games behind the Kings in the eighth seed, so that goal drifts further away with every loss. If Draymond Green is healthy, the Warriors should have the cerebral play required to slow a high-octane offense like Indiana down.
Prediction: Warriors def. Pacers 125-118
Los Angeles Clippers At Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 PM EST
Clippers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Blazers Last 10 Games: 2-8
Clippers Injuries: Norman Powell – Day To Day (Leg), Terance Mann – Day To Day (Shoulder), Moussa Diabate – Day To Day (G League), Russell Westbrook – Out (Hand)
Blazers Injuries: Anfernee Simons – Day To Day (Knee), Matisse Thybulle – Day To Day (Ankle), Jerami Grant – Out (Hamstring), Malcolm Brogdon – Out (Elbow), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Abdomen), Robert Williams III – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 5-0
The Los Angeles Clippers (43-25) are struggling to find their identity with 14 games left in the season. This stretch is crucial in helping the Clippers establish who they are ahead of the playoffs, while they also need wins to ensure they can stay the No. 4 seed ahead of the rapidly rising New Orleans Pelicans. With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden expected to play this is a must-win for LA.
The Portland Trail Blazers (19-50) have been among the worst teams in the NBA this season. Though their record is better than the likes of the Spurs and Pistons, there’s very little separating these teams in terms of ability. Unless Deandre Ayton goes off for a monster game, something Ivica Zubac is well-equipped to stop, the Blazers will be hard to find luck on their side.
Prediction: Clippers def. Blazers 114-101
Philadelphia 76ers At Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 PM EST
76ers Last 10 Games: 4-6
Lakers Last 10 Games: 6-4
76ers Injuries: Joel Embiid – Out (Knee), Kai Jones – Out (Hamstring), Tobias Harris – Out (Ankle), Robert Covington – Out (Knee), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Spine)
Lakers Injuries: LeBron James – Day To Day (Ankle), Anthony Davis – Day To Day (Achilles), Jarred Vanderbilt – Out (Foot), Christian Wood – Out (Knee), Gabe Vincent – Out (Knee), Colin Castleton – Out (Wrist)
Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 5-0
The Philadelphia 76ers (38-31) are flailing since Joel Embiid went out for a meniscus tear. They’ve gone 12-23 without Embiid this season, showcasing how much they rely upon Embiid to keep them a playoff-caliber team. Falling to the Play-In will be a disastrous outcome for the team, so they have to strike while the iron is hot on a troubled Lakers roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers (37-32) are better than their record indicates, but it’s the record that gets you into the playoffs. Currently, the Lakers are on the outside looking in as the No. 9 seed. This win is integral for them to get under three games back of the No. 8 seed and optimistically, 3.5 games behind the No. 6 seed. Their strength and the possible availability of LeBron James and Anthony Davis set them apart from an Embiid-less Philly.
Prediction: Lakers def. 76ers 117-113
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