Pro Basketball Free Picks
Philadelphia (+4') at NEW YORK
By Richard Coia, Featured Handicapper
MATCHES these 75 Dime NBA Winners
# 4 - Thunder (+1') by 15 at Spurs 5/22
# 3 - Knicks (-5') by 16 over Cavs, 5/21
# 2 - Pistons (-8') by 22 over Magic, 5/3
# 1 - Cavs (-1') by 6 at Hawks, 4/8
Give me the new-look 76ers plus the points against the defending champion New York Knicks in the NBA season opener at Madison Square Garden.
Much respect to New York after winning the championship and bringing back its core, but the 76ers have dramatically upgraded their roster since getting swept in four quick games by the Knicks last May in the playoffs.
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, giving Philadelphia multiple scoring options and the talent to stay competitive against the champs.
The challenge for Philadelphia is getting its new pieces to mesh quickly, particularly with James and Brown making their Sixers debuts on the road. However, Maxey is coming off an All-NBA season, Embiid remains a major interior presence when available, and Brown brings proven championship experience.
The Knicks will have the home crowd and championship celebration behind them, but opening-night emotion can also bring distraction and pressure, and Philadelphia has enough firepower to make this a competitive game.
I expect the Sixers to respond to the occasion and keep the margin within
the number. The play is Philadelphia plus the points.
Oklahoma City at SAN ANTONIO (-1')
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
Going to side with San Antonio to cover the small home number against Oklahoma City in a heavyweight Western Conference season opener.
The Spurs have a lot of confidence after winning last season’s Western
Conference finals in seven games, capped by a 111-103 victory on the Thunder’s
home floor. Now they open at the Frost Bank Center, where Victor Wembanyama and
company will be eager to make an early statement.
Wembanyama enters the season after averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game last year, giving San Antonio a game-changing presence at both ends. De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and second-year guard Dylan Harper give the Spurs additional playmaking and perimeter options. Harper has improved outside shooting, including a 57.1% mark from three-point range during the preseason, a promising sign for San Antonio’s offensive balance.
Oklahoma City remains a formidable opponent behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 32.7 points per game last season, so this will not be a walk in the park to open the season.
However, San Antonio has already shown it can match up with the Thunder in high-pressure games, and home court gives the Spurs another advantage. I expect Wembanyama to set the tone defensively while the Spurs’ depth helps them finish the job.