Spread:
Golden State is 1 - 2 so far in the preseason and the next two games for them in a row is against the Lakers. Without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have been relying on players like Wesley Johnson and Nick Young at the shooting guard position, who aren't known for their defense. Klay Thompson is the Dubs' leading scorer this preseason at 16.0 points per game and should look to terrorize Los Angeles on the offensive end. The Lakers aren't much better with a record 2 - 2, which may surprise some after the abysmal offseason the franchise had. The Warriors simply have too many talented wing players that will be able to penetrate the Dwight Howard-less and now Chris Kaman-filled Lakers' interior, which is a big difference. Andre Iguodola, Harrison Barnes and even Steph Curry should have their way with the Lakers' defense (looking at you, Steve Nash).
Pick: Warriors
Heat @ Wizards
Spread: Heat -5.5
Miami is undefeated thus far in the preseason, first in their division at 3 - 0. On the other hand, the Wizards are winless with a record of 0 - 2. Martel Webster, whom the Wiz rewarded with a questionable long-term contract over the summer, is the team's leading scorer, which can't be a good sign, at 14 points per game. John Wall is determined to lead his team to the promised land for the first time since Gilbert Arenas was the franchise centerpiece, but don't look for those wins to start racking up against Miami, even if it is just the preseason.
Pick: Heat
Bobcats @ Cavaliers
Spread: Cavs -4.5
Cleveland and Charlotte are 2 - 0 and 1 - 2, respectively. Jeremy Pargo, who signed several 10-day contracts with Charlotte last season, is the Bobcats' leading scorer for the preseason, quite a head-scratcher given Kemba Walker is their leading guard. Last game against the Bucks, Pargo scored 24 points in under 23 minutes, while scored 12 on 3 of 11 shooting. It's impressive Pargo can score so much with both Walker and Ramon Sessions on the roster, two talented point guards who require the ball in their hands to create. Cleveland, on the other had, has been killing. Kyrie Irving, my new favorite up-and-coming superstar, is a born leader and I wouldn't bet against him going against a shitty Bobcats squad.
Pick: Cavaliers
Celtics @ Nets
Spread: Nets -4
Preseason or not, this game will feel weird. After the blockbuster trade this summer between the two teams, it will most assuredly be the weirdest for veteran all-star Paul Pierce, who was the franchise piece for the Green for so many years, winning a championship with them in 2008 after KG and Ray Allen came to town. Now dressed in black and white, look for Pierce and KG to be a little more aggressive against the team that traded them because we all know they would have rather stayed in Beantown. The Celtics won't be able to put up much of a fight if Pierce and KG decide to destroy their former team, especially with their best player in Rajon Rondo injured for the foreseeable future.
Pick: Nets
Bucks @ Grizzlies
Spread: Grizz -5.5
The Bucks are one of those teams that I don't enjoy writing about because they are clearly satisfied with mediocrity, whether that be missing the playoffs every year or luckily making the playoffs then trading the players that led them their the next offseason. Their big signings this summer were Zaza Pachulia, who they completely overpaid, and hometown kid Caron Butler, who isn't anything to whiff at anymore. They traded Brandon Jennings, let Monta Ellis walk and gave up J.J. Reddick for virtually nothing. The Grizz picked up Mike Miller after desperately needing outside shooting in the playoffs and came to a reasonable long-term deal with fan-favorite Tony Allen. It's hard to lose games boasting a front line of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, especially when I can't even name the starting power forward for the Bucks, though Larry Sanders is a quality center, it's not enough. Sorry, Bucks. Wait, no I'm not.
Pick: Grizzlies
Nuggets @ Thunder
Spread: Thunder -4.5
A fast-faced, exciting game is to be expected no matter what. Denver is 2 - 1 and OKC 2 - 0. Javale McGee and Timofey Mozgov are leading the Nugs in points per game and blocks, respectively, which is surprising given all the offensive power the Nuggets have. Even without Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are killing it. Durant is averaging 7.5 assists per game, an impressive feat for a small forward. This looks to be the most exciting game of the night, one which I will probably choose to watch, and I'll pick the Thunder in a nail-biter.
Pick: Thunder
Clippers @ Suns
Spread: Clippers -2
Never mind, I'll be watching this game. The Suns will be one of the fastest paced teams in the league this year, and with Eric Bledsoe as a starting guard, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He'll be going against his former team, which always brings more of a vengeance, but so will Jared Dudley (which means virtually nothing). Even with the Suns at a surprising 3 - 0 record look for the Clips to thrive in the fast-paced style the Suns love to run. Gortat is a quality center but won't be able to compete with the ultra-athletic talents of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan down low. But even if the Suns suck this season, this addition of Gerald Green was genius considering their run-n-gun style, just look what he did last night against the Spurs:
Pick: Clippers
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