NBA Daily Picks For February 29, 2024: Lakers Want 2 Wins In A Row, Nuggets-Heat Clash In 2023 Finals Rematch

After enduring a challenging 3-3 outcome in last night’s games, Fadeaway World looks to rebound strongly on this significant 8-game night. With a record standing at 263-141, our team remains committed to delivering precise and comprehensive insights to our readers. Despite the setback, our impressive accuracy rate of 65.09% underscores our dedication to providing reliable analysis. 

The Milwaukee Bucks kick off the day’s action against the Charlotte Hornets, followed by the Utah Jazz squaring off against the Orlando Magic. Next, the Atlanta Hawks clash with the Brooklyn Nets, setting the stage for a compelling matchup. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors take on the New York Knicks in what promises to be a thrilling contest.  

Later, the Oklahoma City Thunder go head-to-head with the San Antonio Spurs, while the Houston Rockets meet the Phoenix Suns in an eagerly anticipated showdown. The day concludes with the Miami Heat facing off against the Denver Nuggets and the Washington Wizards challenging the Los Angeles Lakers in a matchup brimming with excitement. 

Milwaukee Bucks At Charlotte Hornets – 7 PM EST

Bucks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Hornets Last 10 Games: 5-5

Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day To Day (Knee), Andre Jackson Jr. – Day To Day (Illness), MarJon Beauchamp – Day To Day (Illness), Khris Middleton – Out (Ankle)

Hornets Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 4-1

The Milwaukee Bucks (38-21) and Charlotte Hornets (15-43) face off once again in a rematch at the Spectrum Center after the Bucks dominated the Hornets with a resounding 123-85 victory on Tuesday. Milwaukee showcased a balanced offensive attack led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Bobby Portis, while also demonstrating defensive prowess by holding Charlotte to their lowest point total of the season. 

Despite some recent struggles, the Bucks seem to have found their rhythm post-All-Star break under the guidance of coach Doc Rivers. On the other hand, the Hornets have been unable to contain the Bucks in their previous encounters this season, highlighting the challenge they face in this matchup.

Prediction: Bucks def. Hornets 124-108

Utah Jazz At Orlando Magic – 7 PM EST

Jazz Last 10 Games: 3-7

Magic Last 10 Games: 7-3

Jazz Injuries: Walker Kessler – Day To Day (Foot), Otto Porter Jr. – Out (Not with team)

Magic Injuries: Jonathan Issac – Day To Day (Illness), Paolo Banchero – Day To Day (Illness)

Last 5 Meetings: Jazz Lead 3-2

In their final showdown of the season series, the Utah Jazz (27-32) face the Orlando Magic (33-26) at the Amway Center. Despite a recent slide in form, the Jazz aim to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Struggling defensively, Utah must regroup to contain Orlando’s offense, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. 

Meanwhile, the Magic are riding high on confidence following a dominant victory over the Brooklyn Nets. With a chance to climb further up the Eastern Conference standings, Orlando will look to capitalize on their defensive prowess and home-court advantage. In what promises to be a competitive encounter, expect the Orlando Magic to emerge victorious in this matchup.

Prediction: Magic def. Jazz 121-113

Atlanta Hawks At Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST

Hawks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Nets Last 10 Games: 2-8

Hawks Injuries: Mouhamed Gueye – Out (Back), Trae Young – Out (Finger), Onyeka Okongwu – Out (Toe)

Nets Injuries: Cam Thomas – Out (Ankle), Dariq Whitehead – Out (Shin)

Last 5 Meetings: Nets Lead 3-2

In a rematch between the Atlanta Hawks (26-32) and the Brooklyn Nets (22-36), both teams are seeking redemption after their previous encounters. The Hawks, despite missing key players like Trae Young, managed to secure a convincing victory in their last outing, showcasing their offensive firepower led by Jalen Johnson. However, their defensive struggles persist, posing a challenge against the Nets’ offense. 

On the other hand, the Nets have been inconsistent offensively, experiencing scoring droughts in recent games. Yet, their defense has shown signs of improvement, presenting a potential obstacle for the Hawks. In this matchup, expect a closely contested battle between two teams hungry for a win, but the Atlanta Hawks are predicted to emerge victorious once again, capitalizing on their offensive strengths to overcome the Nets’ defensive efforts.

Prediction: Hawks def. Nets 126-113

Golden State Warriors At New York Knicks – 7:30 PM EST

Warriors Last 10 Games: 8-2

Knicks Last 10 Games: 3-7

Warriors Injuries: Andrew Wiggins – Out (Personal), Gui Santos – Out (Knee)

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

Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 3-2

In a matchup at Madison Square Garden, the Golden State Warriors (30-27) are set to face the New York Knicks (35-24). The Warriors are coming off a solid victory against the Washington Wizards, even with Stephen Curry experiencing an uncharacteristic off-night. Despite Curry’s struggles, Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga stepped up to secure the win. 

On the other side, the Knicks suffered a tough loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, unable to recover from a challenging second half. With key players like Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein dealing with injuries, the Knicks face an uphill battle against the Warriors’ formidable lineup. Expect the Warriors to capitalize on their momentum and depth to come out on top in this contest.

Prediction: Warriors def. Knicks 126-119

Oklahoma City Thunder At San Antonio Spurs – 8:30 PM EST

Thunder Last 10 Games: 8-2

Spurs Last 10 Games: 1-9

Thunder Injuries: N/A

Spurs Injuries: Marcus Morris Sr. – Out (Not with team), Charles Bassey – Out (ACL)

Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 5-0

In a Western Conference showdown, the Oklahoma City Thunder (41-17) are set to take on the struggling San Antonio Spurs (11-48) at the AT&T Center. The Thunder, currently holding second place in the West, enter the matchup with confidence following a convincing win over the Houston Rockets. Led by the dynamic duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, along with the versatile contributions of Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey, OKC boasts a potent offensive threat. 

Meanwhile, the Spurs find themselves on a five-game losing streak, grappling with consistency and offensive struggles. Despite efforts from players like Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio’s defensive woes have hindered their performance. With the Thunder’s cohesive offense and stronger form, they are poised to secure a victory over the struggling Spurs in this matchup.

Prediction: Thunder def. Spurs 127-115

Houston Rockets At Phoenix Suns – 9 PM EST

Rockets Last 10 Games: 2-8

Suns Last 10 Games: 6-4

Rockets Injuries: Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Steven Adams – Out (Knee)

Suns Injuries: Jusuf Nurkic – Day To Day (Ankle), Eric Gordon – Day To Day (Groin), Bradley Beal – Out (Hamstring), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 3-2

The Houston Rockets (25-33) are looking to bounce back after dropping four of their last five games, facing the Phoenix Suns (34-24) at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. In their recent matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets struggled to find an offensive rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc, shooting just 23% from three-point range. Despite notable performances from Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., Houston couldn’t overcome their shooting woes. 

On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns, coming off a dominant win over the Lakers, enter this game with confidence. Led by a balanced scoring effort, including impressive performances from Jusuf Nurkic and Eric Gordon, the Suns showcased their offensive prowess. Expect the Suns to capitalize on their home-court advantage and secure a victory in this matchup.

Prediction: Suns def. Rockets 131-119

Miami Heat At Denver Nuggets – 10 PM EST

Heat Last 10 Games: 8-2

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 7-3

Heat Injuries: Tyler Herro – Day To Day (Knee), Kevin Love – Out (Heel), Josh Richardson – Out (Shoulder), Orlando Robinson – Out (Shoulder), Dru Smith – Out (Knee)

Nuggets Injuries: Vlakto Cancar – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 5-0

The Miami Heat (33-25) take on the Denver Nuggets (40-19) in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s NBA Finals. After a strong performance against the Portland Trail Blazers, where they overcame a slow start to secure a victory, the Heat look to continue their momentum. Led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami aims to avenge their Finals loss and make a statement on the road. 

However, they’ll face a formidable challenge in the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who are known for their versatility and dominance on both ends of the court. With both teams hungry for a win, expect a competitive matchup with high stakes, with Miami holding a slight edge.

Prediction: Heat def. Nuggets 120-115

Washington Wizards At Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 PM EST

Wizards Last 10 Games: 0-10

Lakers Last 10 Games: 7-3

Wizards Injuries: Deni Avdija – Out (Heel), Bilal Coulibaly – Out (Pelvis), Isaiah Livers – Out (Hip)

Lakers Injuries: Gabe Vincent – Out (Knee), Jarred Vanderbilt – Out (Foot), Colin Castleton – Out (Wrist), Christian Wood – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 3-2

The Washington Wizards (9-49) face off against the Los Angeles Lakers (32-28) at the Crypto.com Arena in a matchup showcasing contrasting fortunes. The Wizards, struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, seek redemption after a string of losses, aiming to disrupt the Lakers’ playoff aspirations. With key players like Kyle Kuzma and Tyus Jones leading the charge, Washington hopes to capitalize on the Lakers’ defensive vulnerabilities. 

However, facing a Lakers team buoyed by recent success and led by stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Wizards face an uphill battle. Despite their efforts, the Lakers’ depth and determination to secure a crucial victory on home court make them the favorites to emerge triumphant in this encounter. 

Prediction: Lakers def. Wizards 128-115