NBA picks: Wizards vs. Pelicans, Raptors vs. Celtics

Friday night in the NBA is normally marked by a full slate of evening games, but with limited courts available fans will instead be treated to a pair of primetime games that each feature their own appeal. First up is the New Orleans Pelicans vs. the Washington Wizards, while the final game of the day features two Eastern Conference contenders as the Boston Celtics face the Toronto Raptors.

Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Wizards got the invite to the bubble, but of all teams included they are clearly the ones with the worst chance of doing anything with the opportunity they’ve been given. They are mathematically eliminated and are now merely playing for pride. They have yet to win a game in the restart, and at 7.5 games back of the Orlando Magic, they really have no chance of even using sideview mirror tricks to make things closer than they appear.

Bradley Beal won’t be helping the Wizards, and they will likely treat this matchup as a pseudo-Summer League event giving rookie Rui Hachimura a chance to see plenty of minutes and touches. They play poor defense, and are really just a team that is going through the motions.

The Pelicans also have little chance of postseason play after a big loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, but with their own fate technically in their own hands and a more talented roster overall, they should easily dispatch this Wizards lineup.

Zion Williamson is the eye-popping celebrity, but Brandon Ingram is an emerging star and talented scorer with a frame and style that invokes comparisons to Kevin Durant. The Pelicans like to run and score points with their young core, and if the Wizards try and keep up it will play right into the New Orleans’ hands.

NBA free pick: Pelicans -8

Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics

The nightcap of the evening should be a fascinating matchup between two Eastern Conference contenders. The Celtics have admittedly flummoxed me since the restart, but I’m hoping my luck turns soon on predicting when they’ll be "on" and when they’ll be "off." The Raptors are 2.5 point favorites, while the Celtics lead the season series 2-1.

After struggling against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, the Celtics rebounded nicely on Wednesday with a huge victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics put up 149 points and demonstrated the versatility and depth that makes their roster so appealing. Jaylen Brown continues to impress, leading the team with 21 points on 5-9 three-point shooting against Brooklyn, but he also played with the composure to take the ball to the rim when presented with the opportunity. In the Celtics’ previous two wins against the Raptors this year, Brown contributed 30 and 25 points, and good play from Brown will likely be necessary for Boston to succeed again.

The Raptors, however, are deserving favorites as they are still undefeated in the restart. After covering against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the Raptors enjoyed Thursday off, which could bode well for an interesting trend of note: the Raptors are 41-17 in their last 58 games playing on one day of rest. The Raptors have the second best defense in the league, and while statistically the Celtics were fourth best in the regular season, the Raptors have regained prior form more successfully than their opponents.

Toronto will also get to play with forward Pascal Siakam, who sat out the last two games between these teams. His presence and ability to switch off both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be helpful in freeing up Toronto guards to stay honest on the perimeter against Boston shooters Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward.

I like Toronto to treat this game as a chance to flex their muscle against a team they are likely to face in the playoffs.

NBA free pick: Toronto -2.5