NBA Tuesday Picks

[Raji]

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards (Odds not yet released)

Philadelphia, owner of the league’s fifth-ranked defense, is allowing less than 92 points per outing on 43 percent shooting. Fourth-year star Andre Iguodala is leading the 76ers with nearly two steals per outing. Newcomer Reggie Evans is chipping in with a team-leading nine rebounds per game, while veteran Samuel Dalembert is registering more than two blocks per contest.

Washington star Gilbert Arenas, who is averaging more than 21 points and six assists per outing, could miss Tuesday’s showdown against Philadelphia with a nagging back injury.

Pick: 76ers

San Antonio Spurs at Atlanta Hawks (+6, 191)

San Antonio is outscoring opponents by nearly eight points per contest. It is also limiting opponents to fewer than 90 points per outing on 45 percent shooting from the field, including 32 percent shooting from the three-point line.

Atlanta, loser of two straight, has lost four of its last five outings by a combined 46 points. The Hawks are also 4-9-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 14 meetings with the Spurs.

Pick: Spurs -6

Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers (-7, 195)

Milwaukee, winless on the road, is riding a two-game winning streak. The Bucks are averaging less than 94 points per outing and are shooting less than 35 percent from the three-point line. Even sharpshooter Michael Redd, the Bucks’ leading scorer, is shooting less than 33 percent from behind the arc.

Cleveland, fresh off a home win over the Utah Jazz, is 2-2 straight up (SU) at Quicken Loans Arena. LeBron James, leading the Cavaliers in points (29.2), assists (8), steals (1.8) and blocks (1.7), was one assist shy of his 11th career double-double on Saturday.

Pick: Cavaliers -7

Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers (+2, 207)

The Lakers, winners of three straight, are dominating their opponents at both ends of the court. They are averaging more than 104 points per contest on 47 percent shooting, while limiting opponents to fewer than 97 points per outing on 42 percent shooting.

L.A. faces an Indiana team that is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 home contests. The Pacers are also 1-6 ATS in their last seven outings.

Pick: Lakers -2

Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks (+1 1/2, 220)

Stephen Jackson’s return on Sunday helped Golden State to a victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Jackson tallied 17 points, five assists and three rebounds in the win. His return gives Golden State’s offense, already amassing more than 108 points per contest, yet another weapon.

The Knicks, losers of five straight, are a meager 1-7 ATS in their last eight contests at Madison Square Garden. New York, loser of eight of its last 10 contests against Golden State, has covered the spread just twice in its last five meetings with the Warriors.

Pick: Warriors -1 1/2

Toronto Raptors at Dallas Mavericks (-9, 196 1/2)

The Raptors, owners of an impressive 3-1 SU road record, are shooting an astounding 42 percent from the three-point line and 44 percent from the field. Toronto has also amassed more than 100 points in three of its four road outings this season.

Meanwhile Dallas is allowing opponents to shoot 37 percent from the three-point line. The Mavericks also allowed Philadelphia, shooting less than 32 percent from behind the arc, to shoot above 50 percent from long-distance on Nov. 13.

Pick: Raptors +9

Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets (-7 1/2, 204)

The Luol Deng-less Bulls, owners of a miserable 1-4 SU and ATS road mark, are arguably the worst offensive club in the league. The Bulls are scoring less than 88 points per contest and are shooting a NBA-worst 38 percent. They are also conceding more than 96 points per outing.

Denver should capitalize on the visitors’ woes. The Nuggets own the league’s most potent offense and have won five straight. They have also won their last three home games by a combined 71 points. The Nuggets are 7-1 ATS in their last eight meetings with the Bulls.

Pick: Nuggets -7 1/2

Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings (+7 1/2, 213 1/2)

The Suns, winners of five straight, are 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS on the road. They are shooting an impressive 48 percent from the field and are outscoring their opponents by an average of seven points. They also defeated the undermanned Houston Rockets 115-105 on Saturday.

Sacramento, winner of two straight, is still allowing more than 104 points per outing on 47 percent shooting. The Kings, losers of five of their last six meetings with the Suns, are a meager 2-4 ATS in their last six contests against Phoenix.

Pick: Suns -7 1/2


Raji