Fadeaway World went 5-3 on predictions for last night’s slate of games, with five more action-packed contests headed fans’ way tonight. Last night improved our overall season prediction tally to 420-235, maintaining our 64.1% accuracy rate.
Tonight will mark the final NBA regular season game day without 15 games, as all teams will be in action on Friday and Sunday. Some crucial matchups will be contested tonight, including a top-seed clash in the East between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. A crucial playoff seeding matchup will also take place between the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.
Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Houston Rockets will also be in action. In the final condensed game night of the season, let’s take a look at our expert picks and predictions.
Chicago Bulls At Detroit Pistons – 7 PM EST
Bulls Last 10 Games: 3-7
Pistons Last 10 Games: 1-9
Bulls Injuries: Alex Caruso – Day To Day (Ankle), Ayo Dosunmu – Day To Day (Quad), Andre Drummond – Day To Day (Ankle), Julian Phillips – Out (Foot), Lonzo Ball – Out (Knee), Patrick Williams – Out (Foot), Zach LaVine – Out (Foot)
Pistons Injuries: Cade Cunningham – Out (Knee), Simone Fontecchio – Out (Toe), Quentin Grimes – Out (Knee), Stanley Umude – Out (Ankle), Isaiah Stewart – Out (Hamstring), Ausar Thompson – Out (Blood Clot)
Last 5 Meetings: Bulls Lead 3-2
The Chicago Bulls (37-42) can seal home-court advantage for the 9-10 Play-In Tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks with a win, also owning the season tiebreaker over the Hawks. While Chicago doesn’t resemble a major contender, their squad led by DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White is going to be motivated to nab this win.
The Detroit Pistons (13-66) have settled into their place as the worst team in the NBA, currently without multiple starters, including Cade Cunningham. While Jaden Ivey and the bunch can trouble defenses, it’ll be a stretch to imagine that the Pistons are going to come out competitively enough to challenge a hopefully motivated Bulls squad.
Prediction: Bulls def. Pistons 119-107
New York Knicks At Boston Celtics – 7:30 PM EST
Knicks Last 10 Games: 6-4
Celtics Last 10 Games: 7-3
Knicks Injuries: Duane Washington Jr. – Out (Thumb), Charlie Brown Jr. – Out (Illness), Julius Randle – Out (Shoulder)
Celtics Injuries: Al Horford – Day To Day (Toe), Kristaps Porzingis – Day To Day (Hamstring), Jrue Holiday – Day To Day (Hamstring), Xavier Tillman – Day To Day (Knee), Jaylen Brown – Day To Day (Hand), Jayson Tatum – Day To Day (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 4-1
The New York Knicks (47-32) have sealed their spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs but will want to pick up more wins to earn the No. 2 seed. Despite missing Julius Randle for the last three months, the Knicks have remained competitive through the MVP performances of Jalen Brunson and the well-oiled team performances orchestrated by coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Boston Celtics (62-17) have been unstoppable for most of the season but seem to be resting most of their top players ahead of the playoffs. If the Celtics stars such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown play, this game could be extremely interesting, but with the likelihood of them being benched, the Knicks should have enough to add another chink in Boston’s armor.
Prediction: Knicks def. Celtics 108-103
Houston Rockets At Utah Jazz – 8:30 PM EST
Rockets Last 10 Games: 5-5
Jazz Last 10 Games: 0-10
Rockets Injuries: Jae’Sean Tate – Out (Ankle), Steven Adams – Out (Knee), Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Alperen Sengun – Out (Ankle)
Jazz Injuries: Collin Sexton – Out (Illness), Walker Kessler – Out (Nose), Kris Dunn – Out (Foot), Jordan Clarkson – Out (Back), Lauri Markkanen – Out (Shoulder), John Collins – Out (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 3-2
The Houston Rockets (39-40) saw a late-season turnaround go to waste as an 11-game win streak in March wasn’t enough to bring them back into playoff contention in the West. Even with their playoff hopes dashed, the Rockets will be motivated to end the season with a winning record to cement their bright future.
The Utah Jazz (29-50) are the coldest team in the NBA right now, having lost their last 13 games. Their top players are all currently injured, with rookies and sophomores filling out the chunk of their rotation. Unless Will Hardy gets them to execute perfectly, the Rockets’ talent should carry them to a win and back to having a .500 record.
Prediction: Rockets def. Jazz 116-111
Golden State Warriors At Portland Trail Blazers – 9:30 PM EST
Warriors Last 10 Games: 8-2
Blazers Last 10 Games: 2-8
Warriors Injuries: Draymond Green – Day To Day (Knee), Dario Saric – Out (Knee)
Blazers Injuries: Matisse Thybulle – Out (Ankle), Anfernee Simons – Out (Knee), Malcolm Brogdon – Out (Elbow), Jerami Grant – Out (Hamstring), Toumani Camara – Out (Rib), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Abdomen), Robert Williams III – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 5-0
The Golden State Warriors (44-35) are prepared to continue their winning ways to charge up the standings through the final few games. The Warriors have won eight of their last nine games but still occupy the No. 10 seed. Stephen Curry and the Warriors will own the No. 9 seed outright ahead of the Lakers if they can win here tonight.
The Portland Trail Blazers (21-58) have shown competitive fire through players like Deandre Ayton and Scoot Henderson, but the team has overall packed it in for the year. Their position in the lottery is almost certain, so unless the young Blazers eye this as an opportunity for a statement win in a sub-25-win season, the Warriors should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Warriors def. Blazers 125-109
New Orleans Pelicans At Sacramento Kings – 9:30 PM EST
Pelicans Last 10 Games: 5-5
Kings Last 10 Games: 5-5
Pelicans Injuries: Naji Marshall – Day To Day (Shoulder), Brandon Ingram – Out (Knee)
Kings Injuries: Keegan Murray – Day To Day (Calf), Jordan Ford – Day To Day (Hip), Malik Monk – Out (Knee), Kevin Huerter – Out (Shoulder)
Last 5 Meetings: Pelicans Lead 4-1
The New Orleans Pelicans (47-32) are the current occupants of the No. 6 seed and can pick up a crucial win, which guarantees that they can’t fall lower than No. 7 in the West. A win will also allow them to maintain a one-game advantage over the Suns for the No. 6 seed instead of falling to No. 7 with a loss tonight while also empowering their opponent to make a run at them.
The Sacramento Kings (45-34) have fallen behind in the race for the No. 6 seed, sitting two games behind the Pelicans. A loss to NOLA would eliminate them from contention for a top-six seed while bringing them level with the No. 9 seed Lakers, possibly even level with the No. 10 seed Warriors. This is a must-win for the Kings as it could define if they’ll even make the playoffs this season, given the strength of the play-in field.
Prediction: Pelicans def. Kings 116-114
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