Free NBA Picks For Today 10/22/2019
More NBA Picks Predictions Previews
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors Pick Prediction 10/22/2019
Pelicans at Raptors—NBA pick is New Orleans Pelicans +7. Pelicans have covered two straight in Toronto. Pelicans were without Anthony Davis last year for many minutes on the cour,t but they still managed to be an offensively efficient team sitting near the top half of the league with 111.3 points per 100 possessions. Alvin Gentry lets this team run. Like their backcourt with Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holliday. Ball with a change of scenery may thrive as will Brandon Ingram who both came over in the Anthony Davis trade. Zion won’t play but at this point of his career may help the team in this spot with experience players on the court. Must wonder if the Pelicans playmakers will have to force touches for Zion. New Orleans also has three point shooter JJ Redick off the bench. Toronto loses two key contributors to their roster as Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green have exited. It is banner night, so you have worry about that angle with a home team laying over two possessions. We see Fred VanFleet and OG Anunoby in the starting lineup. Anunoby averaged 20 minutes and VanFleet 27 last year and will see more action for the exited players. Question for Toronto is how the supporting cast play will now without Leonard and Green on the court. With Holliday on the court the Pelicans play fast, so you have to be concerned the aging veterans in Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka on the court here. Pelicans with Jrue Holliday healthy a good look as an underdog with rest. Play New Orleans +7.
LA Lakers vs. LA Clippers Pick Prediction 10/22/2019
Lakers at Clippers—NBA free pick is LA Clippers +3. LAC will be without Paul George for the first ten games as his shoulder heals. But at this point collectively prefer the Clippers depth. They really have a talented roster they have put together around Kawhi Leonard. Complementing Leonard’s defense on the court is point guard Patrick Beverly who defends well. Prefer the bench for the Clippers with scorer Lou Williams as well as Montrell Harrell and Maurice Harkless. JaMychal Green came over to the Clippers from Memphis last season and contributed well with rebounds and scoring in his 20 minutes. Plus he shot 40% from three combined with both teams last season. LA Lakers have two weaknesses in their starting lineup in Rajon Rondo at point guard and Dwight Howard at center. Didn’t like the signing of Howard. Don’t think he fits the current makeup of the league and can be a distraction with his unprofessional behavior. LA brings in a defensive minded head coach in Frank Vogel who was run out of Indiana Pacers because of his lack of offensive performance from his teams. Don’t like the hire of Jason Kidd as an assistant. Don’t think his personality fits a defensive minded coaching style of Vogel and there could be some players who prefer the more offensive system that Kidd employed at Milwaukee. Kidd was let go in season with the Bucks because of the inability of his teams to play defense. LeBron James defensive skills have begun so show decline. How will AD and Lebron work together to start the season as it will take time for the chemistry to work. LA takes at hit in the opener as Kyle Kuzma has been ruled out with a foot injury. Will this roster play defense is still the big question. Play LA Clippers +3.