NBA Daily Picks For March 8, 2024: Lakers Expect Tough Game Against Bucks

Fadeaway World is coming off a night of successful predictions, going 5-2 for the NBA’s seven-game card last night. This brings our overall record for the season to 286-161, a 63.9% accuracy rate. The NBA has an exciting Friday night slate on tap for tonight with 10 high-octane games to choose from.

The marquee matchup of the night comes with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Los Angeles Lakers on their current road trip, a must-win contest for both franchises. In addition, the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks battle in a consequential matchup for playoff seeding. The OKC Thunder and the Miami Heat will also square off in a playoff-caliber matchup.

More teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, and more will also be in action as we move closer to the Playoffs. Let’s break down tonight’s games and share expert picks and predictions for how the results could shake out.

New Orleans Pelicans At Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM EST

Pelicans Last 10 Games: 7-3

76ers Last 10 Games: 4-6

Pelicans Injuries: Dyson Daniels – Out (Knee)

76ers Injuries: Tyrese Maxey – Out (Concussion), Joel Embiid – Out (Knee), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Back), Robert Covington – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 3-2

The New Orleans Pelicans (37-25) have quietly been solidifying their spot in the top six of the Western Conference with a strong run of form since the All-Star break. The No. 5 seed led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram is coming off a 41-point win over the Toronto Raptors and will look to keep that run of form going.

The Philadelphia 76ers (35-27) are coming off back-to-back losses at the hands of low-ranked teams like the Nets and Grizzlies. Tyrese Maxey is expected to remain out due to the concussion he suffered in their win over the Mavericks. As a result, the 76ers will remain shorthanded without their two all-stars, including Joel Embiid. This may be a test the backups in Philly can’t succeed against.

Prediction: Pelicans def. 76ers 125-109

Charlotte Hornets At Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM EST

Hornets Last 10 Games: 4-6

Wizards Last 10 Games: 0-10

Hornets Injuries: Tre Mann – Day To Day (Groin)

Wizards Injuries: Landry Shamet – Day To Day (Calf), Marvin Bagley III – Out (Back), Isaiah Livers – Out (Hip), Isaiah Livers – Out (Back)

Last 5 Meetings: Hornets Lead 3-2

The Charlotte Hornets (15-47) have separated themselves from the worst two teams in the East but are still far from a competent NBA franchise. They have had good health with LaMelo Ball’s consistent availability, but that isn’t translating into consistent wins for the franchise. With their spot in the lottery secure, the team could take this game seriously given the opposition.

The Washington Wizards (9-53) are the only team in the NBA to have single-digit wins this season, and the game against Charlotte gives them a huge opportunity to end their 16-game losing streak. The Wizards have been woeful and have fallen behind the Pistons who set the record for the longest losing streak in the NBA. This game could swing either way, but Charlotte is coming in with better momentum and likely take this. 

Prediction: Hornets def. Wizards 119-112

Minnesota Timberwolves At Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:30 PM EST

Timberwolves Last 10 Games: 7-3

Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 5-5

Timberwolves Injuries: Monte Morris – Day To Day (Hamstring), Karl-Anthony Towns – Out (Knee), Jaylen Clark – Out (Achilles)

Cavaliers Injuries: Evan Mobley – Out (Ankle), Max Strus – Out (Knee), Donovan Mitchell – Out (Knee), Ty Jerome – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Timberwolves Lead 3-2

The Minnesota Timberwolves (44-19) were dealt a huge blow with Karl-Anthony Towns being ruled out with a torn meniscus, likely missing the rest of the regular season. Anthony Edwards pulled out a heroic performance to lead them to a two-point win over the Pacers last night, but KAT’s absence looms large in this challenging back-to-back.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (40-22) have run into a spell of inconsistency, especially with Donovan Mitchell missing the last few games due to injury. They have lost the No. 2 seed to the Bucks and come into this game with Mitchell and Evan Mobley missing. Nonetheless, the Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen duo has served them well and could be enough to take on a fatigued and depleted Timberwolves side.

Prediction: Cavaliers def. Wolves 109-103

Orlando Magic At New York Knicks – 7:30 PM EST

Magic Last 10 Games: 8-2

Knicks Last 10 Games: 3-7

Magic Injuries: Wendell Carter Jr. – Day To Day (Knee)

Knicks Injuries: Jalen Brunson – Day To Day (Knee), Mitchell Robinson – Out (Ankle), OG Anunoby – Out (Elbow), Julius Randle – Out (Shoulder)

Last 5 Meetings: Magic Lead 4-1

The Orlando Magic (37-26) have regained the form that made them threats at the start of the season over the last month. They’ve shot up to No. 4 in the standings and could climb higher if their hot form continues. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have emerged as stars as the team looks to extend its four-game win streak. 

The New York Knicks (36-26) have seen their hot form from January almost entirely erode with a series of injuries to stars OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Jalen Brunson. While Brunson is the closest to a return, the Knicks without them simply don’t have enough firepower to keep up with most teams, especially against a squad like the Magic.

Prediction: Magic def. Knicks 108-101

Atlanta Hawks At Memphis Grizzlies – 8:00 PM EST

Hawks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 4-6

Hawks Injuries: Jalen Johnson – Out (Ankle), Kobe Bufkin – Out (Toe), Seth Lundy – Out (G League), Trae Young – Out (Finger), Onyeka Okongwu – Out (Toe)

Grizzlies Injuries: G.G. Jackson – Day To Day (Knee), Luke Kennard – Day To Day (Knee), Yuta Watanabe – Out (Wrist), Derrick Rose – Out (Osteitis), Ziarie Williams – Out (Back), Brandon Clarke – Out (Achilles), Desmond Bane – Out (Ankle), Marcus Smart – Out (Finger), Scotty Pippen Jr. – Out (Back), Ja Morant – Out (Shoulder)

Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 3-2

The Atlanta Hawks (28-34) have stayed competent in the East since Trae Young’s injury and look well-positioned to make a play-in appearance without Young. Dejounte Murray and others have something to play for, even if it’s an outside chance of making the playoffs. As a result, they’ll be looking to capitalize on this matchup.

The Memphis Grizzlies (22-41) have been in an injury crisis all season long but have put up some impressive performances to stun tougher opponents. They’ll be a hard out, but without any top star outside Jaren Jackson Jr., who’s coming off an injury himself, the Grizz will have to overperform to win against the Hawks. 

Prediction: Hawks def. Grizzlies 121-109

Miami Heat At Oklahoma City Thunder – 8:00 PM EST

Heat Last 10 Games: 7-3

Thunder Last 10 Games: 8-2

Heat Injuries: Josh Richardson – Out (Shoulder), Kevin Love – Out (Heel), Tyler Herro – Out (Knee)

Thunder Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 4-1

The Miami Heat (35-27) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after losing to the Mavericks last night. The Heat’s offense couldn’t keep up with Dallas and that isn’t an issue they can solve until Tyler Herro returns. Miami is at risk of falling back outside the top six of the East and will hope to pull off a defining win.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (43-19) have shown vulnerabilities in big matchups, like their recent loss to the Lakers, but have been a shining example of consistency for most of the season. Their play style can challenge Miami well while having an MVP candidate like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander run the offense. OKC’s depth and prowess may be too much for the Heat to overcome on a road trip back-to-back.

Prediction: Thunder def. Heat 124-115

Milwaukee Bucks At Los Angeles Lakers – 10:00 PM EST

Bucks Last 10 Games: 7-3

Lakers Last 10 Games: 6-4

Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day To Day (Achilles), Khris Middleton – Out (Ankle)

Lakers Injuries: Cam Reddish – Day To Day (Ankle), Anthony Davis – Day To Day (Achilles), LeBron James – Day To Day (Ankle), Gabe Vincent – Out (Knee), Jarred Vanderbilt – Out (Foot), Calin Castleton – Out (Wrist), Christian Wod – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 4-1

The Milwaukee Bucks (41-22) looked to have figured their new system under Doc Rivers out before being beaten out of the gym by the Golden State Warriors earlier on this road trip. Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking worn down while Damian Lillard still struggles with consistency. Nonetheless, this is the kind of statement game that could allow the stars to line up for Milwaukee.

The Los Angeles Lakers (34-30) have some signature wins recently but have been struggling off-late as seen in their OT win over the Wizards and loss to the Kings. LeBron James is dealing with another ankle injury but Anthony Davis will be looking forward to this matchup. Nonetheless, the Bucks look well-positioned to emerge victorious if Giannis plays given the Lakers struggled rebounding the ball recently.

Prediction: Bucks def. Lakers 113-107

Houston Rockets At Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 PM EST

Rockets Last 10 Games: 4-6

Blazers Last 10 Games: 2-8

Rockets Injuries: Jeff Green – Day To Day (Knee), Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Steven Adams – Out (Knee)

Blazers Injuries: Jabari Walker – Day To Day (Hip), Jerami Grant – Day To Day (Quad), Toumani Camara – Day To Day (Illness), Deandre Ayton – Out (Hand), Scoot Henderson – Out (Thigh), Malcolm Brogdon – Out (Elbow), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Abdomen), Robert Williams – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 4-1

The Houston Rockets (27-35) have taken a step forward from being one of the worst teams in the NBA for the last three years but they’ll likely finish as a lottery team once again. That’s an issue a young roster can deal with, as the Rockets have established that they’ll be playing to win games this season. It reflected in their win over the Spurs and narrow loss to the Clippers.

The Portland Trail Blazers (17-44) are clearly in tank mode and could gain slightly better odds if they tank their way below the Hornets. Whether that’s on their plan or not is another question, but the Blazers have looked like a flat team overall in recent games. While they have the likes of Anfernee Simons and emergent star Duop Reath, they don’t have enough to match up with the Rockets.

Prediction: Rockets def. Blazers 121-113

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