NBA Thursday Night on TNT & NCAA Hoops: Free Basketball Picks

Denver Nuggets (+6) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (2-18: 8:00 PM ET – TNT) Carmelo Anthony vs. LeBron James – that’s the versus system here, as both players have become the stars many predicted after that huge draft that saw the two go in the first 3 picks. But it’s about more than that. Chauncey Billups and the rest of the Nuggets have done work this year, holding down the fort while Melo has been out. With Anthony back, the Nuggets could give the Cavs a tough time in Cleveland. But with Cleveland adding Antwan Jamison, they seem to have the make-up of a more complete team now. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Eventually, I think the trade makes the Cavaliers a NBA Championship level team, definitely the best in the East – but right off the bat, I say it takes a little time – and so I’m taking the Nuggets to cover on the road, plus they are solid recently against Cleveland, going 5-2 ATS in their most recent 7 games.

Boston Celtics (-3 1/2)@ LA Lakers (2-18: 10:30 PM ET – TNT) Kobe Bryant looks like he’s going to miss yet another game, but I’m not too sure that makes the Celtics an overwhelming favorite. L.A. has yet to lose since Kobe went down 4 games ago, relying on Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom to do a little more, both scoring and defensively. And the Celtics, well they haven’t been good, looking older and more tired than even before. But I still expect them to get it going, and what a better time than now? The line isn’t out yet, but I’ll take the Celtics to get the best of the Lakers if the line is within a couple points of even, or possibly in the Lakers’ favor – I’m really not sure which way this one is going to go in terms of line, but I expect Boston to get the road win, as they match up pretty well against L.A.

Syracuse Orange (+2) @ Georgetown Hoyas  (2-18: 7:00pm ET) The 5th ranked Syracuse Orange look to go into Georgetown and give the Hoyas trouble with their famed 2-3 defense. Georgetown is ranked 10th in the most recent polls, and deservingly so, they’ve really done work against some of the best teams in college ball. The Hoyas move the ball well and have three stars to rely on. It will be interesting to see if the Hoyas’ quick ball movement and solid team play can get them a win over the higher ranked Orange. I think the Syracuse length will neutralize what Georgetown likes to do a little, and that will be enough to get Syracuse the road win over the Hoyas.

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