NBA Daily Picks For March 5, 2024: Suns Against Nuggets In Wild Wild West, Celtics Face Cavaliers In Big Clash

Fadeaway World went 4-2 in predictions on a tricky night in the NBA, featuring some upsets and incredible comebacks. This improved our season’s record to 275-148, indicating a 65.01% accuracy rate for the entire year. With a 10-game slate on offer tonight, we’ll hope to continue building on our great record this year.

Tonight’s NBA games provide a very interesting slate which isn’t easy to predict. While teams like the Orlando Magic take on the Charlotte Hornets, we also have big matchups such as the Phoenix Suns facing the Denver Nuggets and the Cleveland Cavaliers hoping to arrest the Boston Celtics’ 11-game win streak. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and more will also be in action.

Let’s analyze tonight’s slate and share our expert predictions for what may happen. 

Orlando Magic At Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM EST

Magic Last 10 Games: 8-2

Hornets Last 10 Games: 5-5

Magic Injuries: Markelle Fultz – Day To Day (Knee)

Hornets Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Magic Lead 4-1

The Orlando Magic (35-26) have found the form that helped them compete atop the East at the start of the season in recent weeks, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. Paolo Banchero looks like a superstar while Franz Wagner continues developing into one of the best forwards in the NBA. They are in the race for the top six in the East, currently holding the seed but hoping to keep teams like the Miami Heat away.

The Charlotte Hornets (15-46) have been relatively healthy for weeks and have somewhat balanced their record to be above teams like the Wizards and Pistons, but they still lack quality. A post trade deadline win streak evaporated just as fast as it came, as the team doesn’t have competitive hopes right now and will hope their core youngsters like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller continue developing.

Prediction: Magic def. Hornets 119-112

New Orleans Pelicans At Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM EST

Pelicans Last 10 Games: 6-4

Raptors Last 10 Games: 5-5

Pelicans Injuries: Dyson Daniels – Out (Knee)

Raptors Injuries: Scottie Barnes – Out (Hand), Bruce Brown – Out (Knee), Jakob Poeltl – Out (Finger)

Last 5 Meetings: Pelicans Lead 3-2

The New Orleans Pelicans (36-25) are solidifying themselves in the top six of the Western Conference amidst cold streaks by the Suns, Kings, and Mavericks. With the recent losses of the other three teams, the Pelicans must maximize their chances of victory against an inferior Eastern team. They are nearly fully healthy, with sophomore guard Dyson Daniels as the only injury absence for their next game.

The Toronto Raptors (23-38) have had some success in recent weeks, including their much-publicized three-game win streak, but they’re far from a competitive unit. This is a bridge season as the team sheds the last bit of identity from the 2019 championship on the roster. They’ll be good next season, but won’t have much for the Pelicans tonight, especially without Jakob Poeltl to protect the rim against Zion Williamson.

Prediction: Pelicans def. Raptors 117-102

Atlanta Hawks At New York Knicks – 7:30 PM EST

Hawks Last 10 Games: 4-6

Knicks Last 10 Games: 3-7

Hawks Injuries: Kobe Bufkin – Day To Day (Toe), Onyeka Okongwu – Out (Toe), Trae Young – Out (Finger)

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

Last 5 Meetings: Knicks Lead 4-1

The Atlanta Hawks (26-34) saw their chances of contention dwindle over the last few weeks with Trae Young being ruled out for the season. The team is still trying to compete for a play-in spot in the East and hasn’t fallen apart without Young like many expected them to. With a mostly healthy supporting cast and Dejounte Murray, the Hawks still have some hopes from this season.

The New York Knicks (36-25) were expected to be contenders after the trade deadline, but a series of injuries have wrecked the squad. With Jalen Brunson joining the list with an ankle injury, it’s hard to imagine this team being able to compete without their three best players. If Brunson isn’t healthy for their game against the Hawks, the Knicks likely fall to another loss.

Prediction: Hawks def. Knicks 112-98

Detroit Pistons At Miami Heat – 7:30 PM EST

Pistons Last 10 Games: 2-8

Heat Last 10 Games: 8-2

Pistons Injuries: Quentin Grimes – Day To Day (Knee)

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

Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 4-1

The Detroit Pistons (9-51) are no longer the worst team in basketball but they are far from being a competent franchise this season. The team has been more competitive off-late, even though most games are still ending with losses for the franchise. But their growth from the start of the season to the more organized team we see today has to be recognized.

The Miami Heat (34-26) are entering their late-season purple patch, dominating their competition over their last 10 games while looking to solidify a top-6 spot in the Eastern Conference. Even with injuries to high-production players like Tyler Herro, the Heat are remaining competitive as Jimmy Butler has leveled up his performances. Their continuity as a unit under Erik Spoelstra should be enough to deal with the Pistons.

Prediction: Heat def. Pistons 117-108

Philadelphia 76ers At Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST

76ers Last 10 Games: 5-5

Nets Last 10 Games: 4-6

76ers Injuries: Cameron Payne – Day To Day (Illness), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Back), Robert Covington – Out (Knee), Joel Embiid – Out (Knee)

Nets Injuries: Day’Ron Sharpe – Day To Day (Wrist), Ben Simmons – Out (Leg/Back), Cam Thomas – Out (Ankle), Dariq Whitehead – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 4-1

The Philadelphia 76ers (35-25) are starting to find their competitive groove without Joel Embiid, recently picking up wins over the Mavericks and more without the star center, Tyrese Maxey’s emergence into a star guard has continued without Embiid, as Nick Nurse has found a way to maximize the pieces of the roster to stay in the top six.

The Brooklyn Nets (24-37) haven’t been able to turn their season around after the firing of coach Jacque Vaughn but Kevin Ollie has given them a boost after a rotten stretch of games that led to Vaughn’s firing. Their problem of beating better teams without elite guard play will continue to haunt them, even in what was this once rival matchup between the Nets and 76ers.

Prediction: 76ers def. Nets 119-103

Boston Celtics At Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:30 PM EST

Celtics Last 10 Games: 10-0

Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 5-5

Celtics Injuries: Kristaps Porzingis – Day To Day (Quad), Jaylen Brown – Day To Day (Knee). Neemias Queta – Out (Knee)

Cavaliers Injuries: Isaac Okoro – Day To Day (Elbow), Caris LeVert – Day To Day (Elbow), Ty Jerome – Out (Ankle), Donovan Mitchell – Out (Knee), Max Strus – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 3-2

The Boston Celtics (48-12) are the hottest team in the NBA and have won their last 11 games. They look unstoppable, with Jayson Tatum solidifying his case for MVP and the star-studded supporting cast accepting their minimized roles to maximize the team’s chances of winning a title.

The Celtics may be unbeatable, but the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-21) are one of the only franchises in the East that can stop them. They have one of the best defensive frontcourt with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen while boasting multiple switchable wing options. Unfortunately, they’ll be without star man Donovan Mitchell, which would make it an impossible job to contain the free-scoring Celtics. 

Prediction: Celtics def. Cavaliers 132-109

San Antonio Spurs At Houston Rockets – 8:00 PM EST

Spurs Last 10 Games: 3-7

Rockets Last 10 Games: 3-7

Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama – Day To Day (Shoulder), Julian Champagnie – Day To Day (Ankle), Charles Bassey – Out (Knee)

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

Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 3-2

The San Antonio Spurs (13-48) are must-watch TV despite their poor record because of Victor Wembanyama. Wemby is averaging a 20-point double-double while leading the league in total blocked shots, transcending any expectation placed upon the rookie. He’ll likely amaze, but the sputtering Spurs haven’t been able to ride Wemby’s historic production on restricted minutes to wins.

The Houston Rockets (26-34) are always a tough out but often fall to more skilled teams due to their lack of offensive versatility. That could be a problem for them against the Spurs, who have competent defenders with Wembanyama marshaling the paint. They aimed to be in the playoffs but languish in the 12th seed, so a motivated Spurs stand a great chance of upsetting the theoretically superior Rockets. 

Prediction: Spurs def. Rockets 122-113

Indiana Pacers At Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 PM EST

Pacers Last 10 Games: 5-5

Mavericks Last 10 Games: 6-4

Pacers Injuries: Aaron Nesmith – Day To Day (Quad), Ben Sheppard – Day To Day (Illness). Doug McDermott – Out (Calf)

Mavericks Injuries: Luka Doncic – Day To Day (Ankle), Maxi Kleber – Day To Day (Knee), Derrick Jones Jr. – Day To Day (Shoulder)

Last 5 Meetings: Pacers Lead 3-2

The Indiana Pacers (34-28) are amid a cold spell by Tyrese Haliburton leading to losses in their last two games. They need to find the magic that vaulted them to success earlier this season, especially in a game against Rick Carlisle’s former team. They faced off last week as the Pacers ended a seven-game winning streak from Dallas which has spiralled into a 1-4 stretch.

The Dallas Mavericks (34-27) went from looking like top-six locks to back in the race to get out of the play-in tournament after a hot streak of form has turned rotten into four losses in their last five games. But from the demeanor of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, it’s clear the team believes in their ability to climb up the standings. That has to be reflected in a win at home over Indiana. 

Prediction: Mavericks def. Pacers 128-121

Phoenix Suns At Denver Nuggets – 10:00 PM EST

Suns Last 10 Games: 5-5

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 7-3

Suns Injuries: Jusuf Nurkic – Day To Day (Calf), Devin Booker – Out (Ankle), Nassir Little – Out (Knee), Damion Lee – Out (Knee), Josh Okogie – Out (Abdomen)

Nuggets Injuries: Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 3-2

The Phoenix Suns (35-26) are trying to stay afloat in the race for a top-six seed in the West but were dealt a massive blow when Devin Booker hurt his ankle and was ruled out for 5 to 14 days. They’ll need Booker to return as soon as possible, as the Suns have a lack of offensive creation without him. Bradley Beal can get big numbers alongside Kevin Durant and that’ll be the team’s hope as they look to solidify a top-six seed.

The Denver Nuggets (42-19) have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the All-Star break, yet to lose a game and sitting 0.5 games behind the No. 1 seed in the West. They have to maximize their No. 1 seed hope with a win over their 2023 Playoffs opponent tonight, as the Suns’ defense will likely struggle to contain Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr.

Prediction: Nuggets def. Suns 131-120

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