Free NBA Picks: Thursday, April 6, 2017, Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by Alan Matthews - 4/5/2017

If the Orlando Magic weren't already going to fire inept General Manager Rob Hennigan after this season as it was, something has happened that probably assured his fate. The team recently signed some dude named Patricio Garino to a contract and his agent tweeted a photo of the signing. No big deal right? Except you could see the Magic front office's whiteboard in the background and clearly read lists of names under potential free-agent and trade targets. The names of Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari and Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap were atop the Hybrid Free Agency column (hybrid referring to guys who can play multiple positions). The most interesting notation was under Hybrid Trade: "Saric (For AG)." Presumably that referred to the Magic thinking about offering Aaron Gordon in a trade for good-looking 76ers rookie Dario Saric. Hennigan said the lists are "not indicative of plans" and were "simply listing options, including some of which other teams have inquired about." It's just the latest embarrassment for that team and guy, and he probably only is employed until the regular season ends.

Bulls at 76ers ( +5.5, 211)

Chicago's four-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday in a potentially playoff-crushing 100-91 loss at the Knicks. The Bulls shot just 38.1 percent from the field. Jimmy Butler had 26 points and Nikola Mirotic 21, but no one else did much. Philly dropped its fourth in a row Tuesday, 141-118 vs. the Nets. That line opened with the 76ers as favorites as they tried to get their lone ATS win as a favorite this season, but it closed with the Nets as slight favorites. So the Sixers are likely to be 0-for-favored all season. Obviously that would have to tie some record. Chicago leads the 76ers 2-1 this season and has won six straight in Philly.

Key trends: The Bulls are 5-2 against the spread in the past seven meetings. The "over/under" is 9-1 in the past 10 meetings.

Early lean: Bulls and over.

Nets at Magic (-2, 223.5)

Brooklyn is on its first three-game winning streak in 166 games following a 141-118 blowout win in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Nets tied a franchise record with 81 first-half points while shooting 70 percent from the field. Brooklyn is now 10-10 in its past 20 games. Orlando lost its fifth in a row Tuesday, 122-102 in Cleveland. The Magic were only down two at the half. If it's possible to quit on your GM, this team has. Orlando and Brooklyn have split two high-scoring meetings with the losing team scoring 111 in each.

Key trends: The Nets are 1-4-1 ATS in the past six in Orlando. The over is 4-1 in the previous five there.

Early lean: Nets and over.

Bucks at Pacers (-4.5, 202)

Milwaukee lost a second straight Tuesday, 110-79 in Oklahoma City. Michael Beasley scored 14 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks. Rookie Malcolm Brogdon, who is important to that team, missed his third in a row with a sore back and wasn't even in OKC, so I doubt he plays here. Indiana ended a four-game losing streak with a 108-90 home win over Toronto on Tuesday. The Pacers were down 19 in the first half. Paul George scored 18 of his 35 points in the third quarter. Milwaukee is looking to sweep the regular-season series over the Pacers for the fourth time in the history of the rivalry and for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

Key trends: The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in the past six in Indiana. The over is 8-2 in the Pacers' past 10 overall.

Early lean: Pacers and over.

Wizards at Knicks (TBA)

Washington snapped a three-game skid and beat visiting Charlotte 118-111 on Tuesday. John Wall scored 14 of his 23 points and dished out six of his 13 assists in the third quarter as the Wizards outscored the Hornets 36-18 in the frame. The Wizards have won 30 home games for the first time since 1988-89. The Knicks were without Kristaps Porzingis on Tuesday but upset the Bulls 100-91. Carmelo Anthony had 23 points and someone named Maurice Ndour had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Washington goes for the four-game season sweep of New York. The Knicks have dropped the past at home in the series.

Key trends: The Wizards are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 5-1 in the previous six.

Early lean: Wait on Porzingis.

Celtics at Hawks (+3, 213)

First TNT game (7 p.m. start this week). Huge potential letdown game for Boston as it had its biggest matchup of the season at home Wednesday vs. Cleveland. Atlanta lost a second straight Sunday in Brooklyn, 91-82. At least All-Star Paul Millsap returned from a seven-game absence due to a sore knee. He came off the bench and had 14 points in 26 minutes. Boston and Atlanta have split two meetings.

Key trends: The Hawks are 6-1 ATS in their past seven Thursday games. The under is 4-0-1 in the past five meetings.

Early lean: This really depends on what Boston does Wednesday. If the C's win, I would still take them here because they wouldn't want to essentially give that W back to Cleveland. But if Boston loses and essentially gives the Cavs the East, I'd go Atlanta here in a big way.

Timberwolves at Trail Blazers (-6, 220)

Second TNT game (9:30 p.m. ET start). Minnesota started a four-game road trip at Golden State on Tuesday and lost 121-107. Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns 21. Minnesota is 6-16 on the road vs. the Western Conference. The Blazers played their final road game of the regular season Tuesday and lost 106-87 in Utah. CJ McCollum scored 25 for the Blazers and Damian Lillard finished with 16. Jusuf Nurkic (leg) missed his third consecutive game.Portland leads Minnesota 2-1 this season. Lillard is averaging 23.0 points and 7.0 assists in two games against the Wolves. Towns is averaging 20.3 points and 10.0 rebounds against Portland.

Key trends: The Wolves are 2-7-1 ATS in their past 10 in Portland. The under is 4-1 in the previous five meetings.

Early lean: Blazers and over.

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