NBA Daily Picks: Celtics Face Nuggets, Lakers Look To Continue Win Streak

After a tough round of predictions last night where Fadeaway World went 2-3, tonight’s seven-game slate promises to bring a lot of incredible action. Our season record is 117-59 and we’re looking to add some more wins in our back pocket.

The NBA originally had an eight-game slate for tonight but the Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks was postponed after the tragic death of Warriors’ assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. Nonetheless, the NBA has some incredible games for the world tonight including a clash of titans between the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets. 

Amidst a sea of incredible games, the Los Angeles Lakers headline the night by hosting the out-of-form Brooklyn Nets with the hope of extending their current win streak to three wins. Without further ado, here are the picks for the NBA’s action-packed night.

Philadelphia 76ers At Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM EST

76ers Last 10 Games: 6-4

Magic Last 10 Games: 3-7

76ers Injuries: Jaden Springer – Day To Day (Ankle), Mo Bamba – Out (Knee), Kenneth Lofton Jr. – Out (Shoulder), Robert Covington – Out (Knee), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Spine)

Magic Injuries: Franz Wagner – Out (Ankle), Gary Harris – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 4-1

The Philadelphia 76ers (26-13) are coming into this game on a three-game win streak, recently getting Joel Embiid back from injury as he dominated in their last win over the Nuggets. With their hot form, they face a tough road test against the young Orlando Magic (22-19).

The Magic’s early-season form has worn off in recent weeks with an injury to star Franz Wagner limiting the team’s success in recent weeks. Paolo Banchero will be looking to make a statement against the reigning MVP after a tough loss to the Hawks in their last game. Though the 76ers’ strength right now may be hard to overcome.

Prediction: 76ers def. Magic 123-111

San Antonio Spurs At Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM EST

Spurs Last 10 Games: 2-8

Hornets Last 10 Games: 1-9

Spurs Injuries: Sidy Cissoko (Ankle), Victor Wembanyama – Out (Rest), Zach Collins – Out (Ankle), Charles Bassey – Out (Knee)

Hornets Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Hornets Lead 4-1

A clash between the two teams that got the No. 1 and No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will be the second game of the night. San Antonio Spurs (7-33) will be without generational center Victor Wembanyama due to rest and will have some backline issued with other big men such as Zach Collins and Charles Bassey also out injured.

The Charlotte Hornets (8-30) have a fully healthy roster after LaMelo Ball’s recent return to the court but their win-tally is yet to benefit from it. This is a big opportunity for the Hornets to pick up a crucial home win to end their torrid run of six consecutive losses by facing the Spurs with their best player unavailable.

Prediction: Hornets def. Spurs 118-103

Denver Nuggets At Boston Celtics – 7:30 PM EST

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 7-3

Celtics Last 10 Games: 6-4

Nuggets Injuries: Aaron Gordon – Day To Day (Shoulder), Julian Strawther – Out (Knee), Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)

Celtics Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 4-1

The Denver Nuggets (28-14) haven’t looked like their championship-winning self in the regular season this year but are still among the best teams in the NBA. After a tough loss to the 76ers with a healthy starting five, they’ll look to beat the team that many believe will take their crown in the Finals this year. If Aaron Gordon plays, Nikola Jokic will have the motivation to beat the best team in the NBA at its healthiest.

The Boston Celtics (32-9) have the best record in the NBA and are undefeated through 20 games at home. They’ve been unbeatable in the TD Garden and the Nuggets will have to pull off an extremely high-caliber performance to stop Jayson Tatum and Co. from remaining undefeated at their fortress. 

Prediction: Celtics def. Nuggets 119-113

Phoenix Suns At New Orleans Pelicans – 8:00 PM EST

Suns Last 10 Games: 7-3

Pelicans Last 10 Games: 7-3

Suns Injuries:  Bol Bol – Out (Foot), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)

Pelicans Injuries: Matt Ryan – Out (Elbow),

Last 5 Meetings: Suns Lead 3-2

The Phoenix Suns (22-18) have overcome a rough stretch of games in December to rise through the standings with their big three healthy. Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and  Devin Booker have led this team to a three-game win streak but they’ll face arguably their toughest challenge in this stretch tonight on the road.

The New Orleans Pelicans (25-17) have been one of the most in-form teams in the West over the last month, breaking through an injury-prone start to the season to find consistency with their roster. Brandon Ingram dominated with a triple-double in their last win while Zion Williamson has shown flashes of his All-Star talent. They will be motivated to win this and climb away from the chasing pack as the fifth seed,

Prediction: Pelicans def. Suns 128-121

Atlanta Hawks At Miami Heat – 8:00 PM EST

Hawks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Heat Last 10 Games: 5-5

Hawks Injuries: Trae Young – Day To Day (Illness), Vit Krejci – Out (Shoulder), Wesley Matthews – Out (Calf), De’Andre Hunter – Out (Knee), Mouhamed Gueye – Out (Back)

Heat Injuries: Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Day To Day (Groin), Kevin Love – Out (Knee), Dru Smith – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 4-1

The Atlanta Hawks (17-23) have the talent to be a playoff team but have struggled to put it together this season. Despite strong seasons from both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, the team is unable to compete in the East and is looking to move off Dejounte, who hit a game-winning buzzer-beater in the Hawks’ latest win over the Magic.

The Miami Heat (24-17) were handed a 24-point loss by the Toronto Raptors in their last game and returned home to host the Hawks. Even if they lack mercurial rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., the Heat have enough with their core trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. The Hawks are a tricky team to beat, but the Heat have the weapons to tackle them, especially if Trae doesn’t play.

Prediction: Heat def. Hawks 108-103

Indiana Pacers At Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 PM EST

Pacers Last 10 Games: 7-3

Blazers Last 10 Games: 3-7

Pacers Injuries: Aaron Nesmith – Day To Day (Shin), Isaiah Jackson – Day To Day (Head), Pascal Siakam – Out (Recently Traded), Tyrese Haliburton – Out (Hamstring), Andrew Nembhard – Out (Back)

Blazers Injuries: Deandre Ayton – Out (Knee), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Thigh), Robert Williams III – Out (Knee), Moses Brown – Out (Shoulder)

Last 5 Meetings: Blazers Lead 3-2

The Indiana Pacers (24-17) have withstood the loss of Tyrese Haliburton to a hamstring injury and have had a winning record in the last five games. Their rotation has been hurt with Bruce Brown and Jordan Nwora leaving in the Pascal Siakam trade, with Siakam unlikely to play against Portland. They’re coming off a thrilling win over the Sacramento Kings.

The Portland Trail Blazers (11-29) have been extremely inconsistent this season but are coming off a close win over the Brooklyn Nets. Even with the Pacers’ roster deficiencies right now and the fact that they’re on the second leg of a back-to-back, their team cohesion under Rick Carlisle makes them a very tough team to beat for the flailing Blazers.

Prediction: Pacers def. Blazers 124-105

Brooklyn Nets At Los Angeles Lakers – 11:00 PM EST

Nets Last 10 Games: 4-6

Lakers Last 10 Games: 1-9

Nets Injuries: Mikal Bridges – Day To Day (Shin), Dariq Whitehead – Out (Shin), Ben Simmons – Out (Back), Day’Ron Sharpe – Out (Knee)

Lakers Injuries: LeBron James – Day To Day (Shin), Anthony Davis – Day To Day (Ankle), Cam Reddish – Out (Knee), Gabe Vincent – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 3-2

The Brooklyn Nets have been among the worst teams in the NBA, winning just one game since December 26. The roster isn’t built to optimize the strengths of players like Mikal Bridges, who has been pushed into the unnatural role of being a No. 1 option. Spencer Dinwiddie has been a major letdown as point guard recently and the Nets have been in disarray on the court. 

The Los Angeles Lakers can’t boast a lot of on-court certainty but they’ve finally started recapturing the spark that made them In-Season Tournament Champions. They’re on a two-game win streak with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis performing at a high level. If they can continue to get solid production from D’Angelo Russell against his former team, the Lakers should extend their win streak to three.

Prediction: Lakers def. Nets 114-101

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