Accuscore - NBA - February record 6 - 11
New York Knicks (-6) vs. Sacramento Kings
How do I not go with Jeremy Lin? Lin has miraculously turned the team around. The Knicks look much better on offense as the selfishness is gone and the ball moves swiftly from player to player. In addition, New York appears to be playing better defense, as evidenced by its series for late game stops against Toronto. The Knicks’ opponents tonight are the 10-18 Sacramento Kings. The Kings are an awful road team with a 3-13 record away from home. I like the Knicks to win their seventh straight in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd that will be absolutely insane.
Memphis Grizzlies at New Jersey Nets: Grizzlies Win
I’ve decided to throw in a money line pick for the Grizzlies at Nets game. February has been rough for Memphis. The Grizzlies are just 4-4 in the past two weeks and have struggled against teams that they should have beaten. Luckily for them, the Nets are awful. New Jersey is the anti-New York Knicks, as the Nets have lost six straight including two losses to the Detroit Pistons. I think this game will be closer than it should be given the two teams’ records, but the Grizz will come out on top.
Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors: Under 197.5 points
The key factor in this game is the injury to LaMarcus Aldridge, who sprained his left ankle in last night’s loss to the Washington Wizards. Aldridge won’t likely be in the game, which will seriously hurt the Blazers’ offense and defense. Portland averages 98.5 points per game, but they probably won’t reach that total without Aldridge’s 22.6 points, and its 13th ranked defense will suffer without its near seven foot forward. The Warriors are the fourth highest scoring team in the league, and will probably hit the century mark for the seventh straight game. Even with Golden State’s scoring, I think Portland’s offense will struggle too much on the road to push the total over 197.5.