Fadeaway World shares expert picks and predictions along with injury updates for the NBA’s seven-game slate on Thursday.
Fadeaway World is coming off a disappointing round of predictions, going 2-6 for last night’s incredible eight-game slate full of upsets. Our season prediction record is 281-159, boasting a 63.8% accuracy rate. The NBA brings seven games to fans worldwide tonight and we’ll analyze the matchups to see what results could come off it.
All eyes will be on a late-night clash between the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics, both teams currently favored to meet in the 2024 NBA Finals. Along with them, the Dallas Mavericks will hope to stop their recent skid and beat the Miami Heat. The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to keep hold of the No. 1 seed in the West in a tricky matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
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More teams like the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and others will be in action. We will analyze tonight’s games and share our expert predictions for what could transpire.
Minnesota Timberwolves At Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM EST
Timberwolves Last 10 Games: 7-3
Pacers Last 10 Games: 6-4
Timberwolves Injuries: Jordan McLaughlin – Day To Day (Illness), Karl-Anthony Towns – Out (Knee), Jaylen Clark – Out (Achilles)
Pacers Injuries: Doug McDermott – Out (Calf), Bennedict Mathurin – Out (Shoulder)
Last 5 Meetings: Timberwolves Lead 5-0
The Minnesota Timberwolves (43-19) have solidified their status as one of the best teams in the West by holding onto the No. 1 seed in the stacked West for most of the season. They have been impenetrable with the best defense in the NBA and one of the best paint-protecting teams in the NBA. Anthony Edwards will hope to carry the load offensively in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Indiana Pacers (35-28) have been one of the hardest teams to predict, as their offense-reliant gameplan can yield wonders at times but leave the team stranded when their shots aren’t falling. Given the strength of the Wolves as a defensive unit and the slump Tyrese Haliburton is on, it’s fair to say the Timberwolves will have a considerable advantage in this contest.
Prediction: Timberwolves def. Pacers 117-105
Brooklyn Nets At Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM EST
Nets Last 10 Games: 4-6
Pistons Last 10 Games: 1-9
Nets Injuries: Day’Ron Sharpe – Day To Day (Wrist), Ben Simmons – Out (Back), Cameron Thomas – Out (Ankle), Cameron Johnson – Out (Ankle), Dariq Whitehead – Out (Shin)
Pistons Injuries: Quentin Grimes – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Nets Lead 4-1
The Brooklyn Nets (25-37) have found a way to be somewhat competitive in recent weeks looking serious about making a push for the pay-in tournament. But they’ve been so bad for most of the season that it’s hard to say this is something they can turn around instantly. This is a talented group so they should be able to beat any team put in front of them, but that hasn’t worked out this season.
Facing the Detroit Pistons (9-52) is tough for teams because of their young and experimental style of play which makes them impossible to gameplan against. They’re better than their record indicates and could leave Brooklyn in a lot of trouble. But I think the Nets will find a way to keep themselves competitive before finishing the job off in what should be a good win.
Prediction: Nets def. Pistons 119-111
Miami Heat At Dallas Mavericks – 7:30 PM EST
Heat Last 10 Games: 8-2
Mavericks Last 10 Games: 5-5
Heat Injuries: Josh Richardson – Out (Shoulder), Kevin Love – Out (Heel), Tyler Herro – Out (Knee)
Mavericks Injuries: Maxi Kleber – Day To Day (Knee), Luka Soncic – Day To Day (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Mavericks Lead 3-2
The Miami Heat (35-26) have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA recently, going 8-2 in their last 10 outings. This is despite injuries weighing them down, primarily the absence of star guard Tyler Herro. They can beat any team in the NBA because of their defensive principles alone and face a very tough challenge next games.
The Dallas Mavericks (34-28) have only won one of their last six games, falling from possible contention for the No. 4 seed to multiple games behind the No. 6 seed. This is a must-win for the franchise at home, especially with the form Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been in. We’re picking Dallas for this, but this is extremely even and the decision could easily go either way.
Prediction: Mavericks def. Heat 131-120
Toronto Raptors At Phoenix Suns – 9:00 PM EST
Raptors Last 10 Games: 4-6
Suns Last 10 Games: 5-5
Raptors Injuries: Ochai Agbaji – Day To Day (Knee), Bruce Brown – Out (Knee), Jakob Poeltl – Out (Finger), Scottie Barnes – Out (Hand)
Suns Injuries: Devin Booker – Out (Ankle), Nassir Little – Out (Knee), Damion Lee – Out (Knee), Josh Okogie – Out (Abdomen)
Last 5 Meetings: Raptors Lead 3-2
The Toronto Raptors (23-39) are looking to fill the leadership vacuum in the franchise after the departure of championship veterans like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Fred VanVleet in a matter of one season. The best way to make an impact is by beating a team with high expectations, but the Raptors head into this game with three starters out injured.
The Phoenix Suns (36-26) have had one of the toughest schedules in the NBA recently and it was supposed to get easier in this against Toronto but they have still struggled. It is a must-win for them, especially with Raptors’ size options being injured. Even without Devin Booker, the Suns should be able to rely on Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to pull this win off.
Prediction: Suns def. Raptors 133-110
San Antonio Spurs At Sacramento Kings – 10:00 PM EST
Spurs Last 10 Games: 3-7
Kings Last 10 Games: 5-5
Spurs Injuries: Charles Bassey – Out (Knee), Victor Wembanyama – Out (Ankle)
Kings Injuries: Sasha Vezenkov – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Kings Lead 4-1
The San Antonio Spurs (13-49) have made a huge resurgence in everyone’s eyes due to the presence of Victor Wembanyama. The 7’4″ Frenchman is must-watch TV regardless of the team’s result. The Kings are coming off an impressive win over the Lakers, so they’ll be going that De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis carry over the same energy.
The Sacramento Kings (35-26) earned a win over the Lakers last night but have shown vulnerabilities in what they do, especially defensively. The Lakers’ passivity cost them last night’s game but a win over the Spurs would motivate the Kings to finish their season on a high to try and solidify a top-six seed.
Prediction: Kings def. Spurs 135-113
Chicago Bulls At Golden State Warriors – 10:00 PM EST
Bulls Last 10 Games: 5-5
Warriors Last 10 Games: 7-3
Bulls Injuries: Dalen Terry – Out (Personal), Torrey Craig – Out (Knee), Patrick Williams – Out (Foot), Zach LaVine – Out (Foot), Lonzo Ball – Out (Knee)
Warriors Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 4-1
The Chicago Bulls (30-32) are making a surprising climb through the standings, solidifying themselves as a play-in team and trying to finish the season with an over .500 record. Even without Zach LaVine, the team has been looking solid with Coby White taking a star leap.
The Golden State Warriors (33-28) pulled off an incredibly dominant win over the Milwaukee Bucks last night and will look to replicate that form against a team like the Bulls. While it won’t be straightforward, Stephen Curry and co. should continue their hot form as they inch closer to the No. 6 seed.
Prediction: Warriors def. Bulls 119-108
Boston Celtics At Denver Nuggets – 10:00 PM EST
Celtics Last 10 Games: 9-1
Nuggets Last 10 Games: 6-4
Celtics Injuries: Jaylen Brown – Day To Day (Back), Neemias Queta – Out (Knee)
Nuggets Injuries: Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 3-2
The Boston Celtics (48-13) will ride into Denver and hope to pick up their biggest statement win of the season. The Celtics had an 11-game win streak snapped by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a tough loss, which makes this the perfect bounce-back game for Jayson Tatum and the rest. If the reigning champions and the Denver altitude don’t slow them down, the rest of the league will be worried.
The Denver Nuggets (42-20) are being looked at as the favorites to come out of the West and need to send an emphatic message while facing the biggest threat to their championship reign. Like the Celtics, the Nuggets are also coming off a tough loss, so Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be looking to outclass Boston in the biggest game of the night.
Prediction: Nuggets def. Celtics 109-104
