There is a very exciting NBA slate tonight, with many games holding a close spread. We are targeting three of those games for our NBA picks tonight.
Picks Summary
• Knicks vs. Wizards: Knicks +1 (-108) at Unibet
• Cavaliers vs. Hawks: Cavaliers +1 (-108) at FanDuel
• Nets vs. Bulls: Nets +1.5 (-105) at BetMGM
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards
Friday, February 24, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Capital One Arena
The New York Knicks looked reenergized before the All-Star break. They’ll hope they can keep that momentum heading into the second half when they take on the Washington Wizards.
The Knicks and Wizards each exchanged wins over their first two games. Both road teams won those meetings. If the road team were to win again, the Knicks would take home another win.
Although the Knicks were red hot, the Wizards also won four of the last five games. They began getting healthy. However, Bradley Beal is listed as questionable for tonight’s game.
Teams Analysis
The Knicks do all of the little things well offensively. They have scored 117.3 points per 100 possessions while only turning the ball over 12.9% of the time. The Knicks have added 31.2% of offensive rebounds and have a top-10 free-throw rate.
The rebounding percentage could get even better. Mitchell Robinson is currently questionable for the Knicks tonight. Robinson has been out for a little bit with a thumb injury.
New York has only shot an effective field goal percentage of 53%. They’ll struggle to find good looks against Washington’s defense that has held teams to a 53.2% effective field goal percentage. Still, the Knicks will do very well limiting turnovers and should get their fair share of offensive rebounds in this game.
On the other hand, Washington has added 115.4 points per 100 possessions. The offense has been more inconsistent than the Knicks, adding 25.9% of offensive rebounds. Turnovers have also been slightly high at 14.3%, and Washington isn’t getting to the line as much as the Knicks.
Plus, the Knicks have held opponents to a 53.1% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
We like the Knicks to sneak out of Washington with a win.
NBA Pick: Knicks +1 (-108) at Unibet
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Friday, February 24, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at State Farm Arena
Cleveland allowed yesterday’s game against the Denver Nuggets to slip away, losing 115-109 at home. Now they’ll get back into action against the Atlanta Hawks, who have just fired their head coach.
You’d expect the Cavaliers to want to get back in the win column tonight.
Teams Analysis
The Cavs have scored 116.4 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 55.7%. Cleveland is also in the top-15 in turnover percentage, offensive rebounding percentage, and free throw rate offensively.
The Cavaliers should be able to dominate the offensive glass and earn plenty of second chances to score at an above-average rate tonight.
On the other hand, the Hawks have allowed 115.1 points per 100 possessions and over 27.5% of offensive rebounds per game this season.
Atlanta’s offense has struggled. The Hawks will limit turnovers but rarely get to the foul line while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 53.5%. Atlanta also averages under 27% of offensive rebounds per game and scores 144.2 points per 100 possessions.
That won’t get the job done against the Cavaliers. Cleveland has held teams to 110.6 points per 100 possessions. The Cavs have added 15.8% of turnovers on the defensive end and have limited teams to a 53.9% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
Some teams play better when the head coach is fired, but we like the Cavaliers on the road tonight.
NBA Pick: Cavaliers +1 (-108) at FanDuel
Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls
Friday, February 24, 2023 – 08:00 PM EST at United Center
The Bulls won the first two over the Nets. However, the Nets responded with a win in the third meeting between the two teams.
The Nets defeated the Bulls 116-105 on February 9. It was a recent game when the Nets already had Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith on the roster.
Teams Analysis
The Nets have been hot and cold this year, but they’re also 34-24 and legitimate playoff contenders with their new, current roster. They have a ton of depth and NBA talent and can’t play all of their guys reasonable minutes. It’s a good problem to have.
The Nets have struggled on the offensive glass and won’t get to the foul line often, but Brooklyn has a 58% effective field goal percentage. That’s a system thing for the Nets. Not a Kyrie and Durant thing.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are seven games below .500 with 112.7 points per 100 possessions scored. The offense has struggled on the glass, too, and will likely be shut down from the field, shooting below a 55% effective field goal percentage. Brooklyn has held teams to a 52.5% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
We’ll finish this article by taking the third road team of the night.
NBA Pick: Nets +1.5 (-105) at BetMGM
