National Basketball Association

NBA Daily Picks: Thursday, October 27

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The daily picks of every game in the NBA

The 76ers fan that got kicked out for giving double birds to Russell Westbrook sums up how I feel towards the Houston Rockets’ defense today. James Harden did all he could to give me a perfect 13-0 through two days, but the last game of the day ended my 12-0 start to the season, as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets.

Russell Westbrook wants to know which nursing home grandpa belongs to

(Vine via @AndrewDBailey)https://t.co/u77GtUxhXs

— NOTSportsCenter™ (@NOTSportsCenter) October 27, 2016

Besides the heartbreak of not going perfect this season, the first day with a full slate of NBA games did not disappoint. The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks had to go to overtime after a clutch three by Harrison Barnes late in the fourth quarter (Sorry for doubting you, Harrison). Also, four games ended with a winning margin of six points or less, including the Boston Celtics win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Despite the Celtics dominating the first three quarters, the Nets had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Two crucial missed three-pointers cost the Nets, who ended up losing 122-117, even though they outscored Boston by 11 in the fourth quarter.

Giving up 117 points to the Nets will not sit well with Brad Stevens, and the Nets had wide open looks from three all game, shooting 34.1 percent. Overall, though, Boston showcased their deep bench with all 10 players playing double-digit minutes, and only Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas played more than 30 minutes.

Now to the picks…

In case you’re new, every day I will make a prediction of each NBA game. There will be a lock of the day which basically means there’s no way that team is going to lose. Below is my overall record and lock of the day record.

Overall Record: 12-1

Lock of the Day Record: 2-0

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls

Listen, a back-to-back to start the season is never easy for any team. The Celtics do have the fortune of having a very deep rotation, with only two players playing over 30 minutes in a blowout game yesterday. That should give them fairly fresh legs, and the advantage of being able to keep their high-tempo offense against a team who will want to slow the game down.

Despite the NBA landscape changing to a three-point shooting league, the Chicago Bulls refuse to accept that. They did sign former Celtic R.J. Hunter, who probably won’t play considering he only signed yesterday, and also have Doug McDermott, but the Bulls big free agent signings both don’t have a great outside shot — Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. Plus, Jimmy Butler is not a great three-point shooter, either.

That being said, the United Center is not an easy place to win at. In fact, the Bulls have gone 7-1 in their last eight home openers, with their lone loss coming in overtime to Cleveland two years ago. The United Center is historically one of the loudest arenas, and Bulls fans will show up with the World Series on a travel break.

Still, the Bulls have a weird dynamic with their non three-point shooting team. That makes Boston’s problems guarding the three-point shot against the Nets less concerning. It will come down to the wire and it won’t be an easy win, but the Celtics bench can tire teams out, and their starters can have a much bigger role in bigger games.

Pick: Boston Celtics

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks

It’s a new era for the Atlanta Hawks with new center Dwight Howard and newly extended Dennis Schroder. Plus, they return Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore. As much criticism as Howard receives, he has a chance to be a really good signing, but it might not happen right away.

Schroder enters the starting lineup with huge expectations, but it’d be surprising if there aren’t bumps along the way. Plus, Millsap will have to adapt to playing next to Howard since his and Al Horford’s games are so different.

That gives new head coach Scott Brooks a chance to start his Washington Wizards career off with a win. John Wall will continue to play at an All-Star level, and give Schroder problems, and Bradley Beal is finally healthy.

The biggest knock on Washington in past years is that Beal can never stay healthy. It’s hard to trust that he’ll be able to play 70 games, let alone all 82, but the important thing is he’s healthy for the season opener.

Washington doesn’t have great depth, as they will rely on Kelly Oubre Jr and Trey Burke to step up this season. Although, Atlanta will have a transition period trying to implement Schroder and Howard, and it’s not like they have amazing depth, either. The Hawks are at home and a four-point favorite, but home teams are just 6-7 this year.

Pick: Washington Wizards

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs @ Sacramento Kings [Lock of the Day]

The San Antonio Spurs are coming off a huge win over Golden State in the Bay, and Sacramento is starting the season with back-to-back games. The Kings are 1-0 with a win over Phoenix, in a game they won with ease. Plus, I picked Boston who is also on a back-to-back. However, this is a different situation.

The Spurs beat the Warriors despite Pau Gasol only having two points on 1-of-4 shooting. There is an expected transition period for the new big man in San Antonio, but that won’t slow down the incredible Gregg Popovich system, and that became evident in the season opener.

Instead, Kawhi Leonard had a career-high of 35 points and LaMarcus Aldridge showed why there was so much hype around him signing in San Antonio last year with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

It’s the Kings home opener and DeMarcus Cousins will get his points, not to mention he should come in fresh after only playing in 25 minutes last night. Although, relying on Garrett Temple as a third option might work against the Suns but it won’t fly against the Spurs. San Antonio will win easily.

Pick: San Antonio Spurs

Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers @ Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard said he wanted to be the MVP, and he wasn’t kidding. 39 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Portland’s season opener is absolutely insane. It will be hard for him to top that mark in Portland’s second home game of the season, but he won’t disappear just because Chris Paul is guarding him.

That being said, the Trail Blazers front court will have to step up. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan make up one of the best front courts in the NBA, and Mason Plumlee and Al-Farouq Aminu do not. Maybe this is the first of the many Plumlee triple-doubles that he said he would record this season because Portland will need it.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum can only do so much for this team, eventually other scorers have to surface. Allen Crabbe contributed 18 points in the season opener but he’s not reliable for that many every game, leaving Portland in hopes that a new second unit wing player will step up every game.

Portland has a chance to gain home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs this year, but the Clippers are a proven veteran team who will fight with San Antonio for the two seed. The Clippers’ bench got better with the addition of Marreese Speights, and I think they pull out a close win.

Pick: Los Angeles Clippers