Top NBA Betting Picks & Predictions of the Week – March 26th

Things are getting rough for the Golden State Warriors, as Stephen Curry’s MCL sprain may keep him out through the first round of the playoffs, and Klay Thompson’s thumb has him day-to-day. Meanwhile, Houston just keeps winning, with their winning streak hitting nine. The Portland Trail Blazers saw their 13-game winning streak end last week but have started another one — and the Minnesota Timberwolves are slumping and could slide out of the playoff picture. In the East, Boston has also had the injury bug strike, taking Kyrie Irving (knee). Cleveland has won five in a row, but the Philadelphia 76ers are still the hottest team in that conference, winners of six straight. Let’s look at your NBA betting picks from the Association for the week ahead.

Top NBA Betting Picks & Predictions of the Week – March 26th

The Sixers just keep moving ⬆️in our Power Rankings. pic.twitter.com/mHOeJLwm8Q

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 26, 2018

Wednesday, March 28

Portland at Memphis (8:00pm ET, CSNN)

Portland saw a two-game slide end in dramatic fashion on Sunday night, as the Trail Blazers went to Oklahoma City and dealt the Thunder a 108-105 loss on Sunday night. Portland had lost at home to both Houston and Boston before getting things going back in the right direction. C.J. McCollum put up 34 in the big road win (although Carmelo Anthony had a crucial turnover and then clanked an open three at the buzzer that would have sent the game to overtime). Getting this road win in a playoff environment was a huge step for Portland’s confidence. The Trail Blazers visit a Memphis team that is definitely looking toward the lottery. They only have 19 wins, and they have dropped four straight, most recently falling to the Lakers at home, 100-93, on Saturday night. The Grizzlies actually looked like they might beat the young team from Los Angeles (on the heels of an historic 61-point loss at Charlotte), but then Kyle Kuzma had a 15-point fourth quarter to lead the Lakers past the listless (and injury-ridden) Grizzlies. NBA Betting Prediction: Portland 118, Memphis 106

Thursday, March 29

Milwaukee at Golden State (10:30pm ET, TNT)

Milwaukee is trudging along the tail end of the regular season, winners of five of their last 10 — but they got a huge boost when Giannis Antetokounmpo came back from an ankle injury against San Antonio, putting up 25 points as the Bucks beat one of the NBA’s elite teams on Sunday. That followed a 13-point win over Chicago without the Greek Freak. Milwaukee shot 64 percent in the third quarter, winning the period by 13 points thanks to an infusion of hustle as well. Now that the Bucks prepare to head west for a trip, they’ll need that momentum going into the home of the defending champs. Golden State continues to suffer from injury woes. On Sunday, they took a 19-point beating from the Utah Jazz, who currently sit eighth in the Western Conference. They have lost three of five overall, falling to Sacramento and San Antonio as well during that stretch. Quinn Cook started at the point in place of Stephen Curry (knee), and he put up 17 points and eight assists, but the Warriors continue to play without all four of their All-Stars. Kevin Durant and Draymond Green could play against Indiana on Tuesday, so pay attention to the injury report before you lock in your wager. If they return, then the Warriors could win. My prediction assumes that those two are back, but Thompson and Curry are not. NBA Betting Prediction: Golden State 116, Milwaukee 111

Friday, March 30

Philadelphia at Atlanta (7:30pm ET, CSN)

The Philadelphia 76ers are headed to the postseason for the first time since the 2011-2012 season, as Indiana eliminated Miami on Sunday, clinching a spot for The Process. Philadelphia has won six in a row and seven of eight, including a 120-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. In that win, Ben Simmons had a triple-double, and Joel Embiid made Karl-Anthony Towns look silly. The Sixers now head to Atlanta to take on a Hawks team that is in the Eastern Conference basement. The Hawks did beat Utah on the road by five but have lost three in a row since, most recently taking a 118-99 beating in Houston on Sunday night. Taurean Prince put up 28 for Atlanta, and Isaiah Taylor added 26, but Houston was up 13 after the first quarter and by 26 at halftime, and they never let the foot off the gas. Point guard Dennis Schroder (ankle) missed the game, so you’ll want to check the injury list to see if he can take the floor against the 76ers. NBA Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 110, Atlanta 96