Expert analysis and predictions for the 10 NBA games ahead for February 2, 2024.

After an average night of NBA picks for our team, going 2-2 in the four matchups yesterday, Fadeaway World’s record now stands at 172-93, or a 65.5% success rate. With 10 more matchups ahead today, the team is poised to have another big night with many games heavily favoring one side over the other.

The two games that stand out on today’s slate both come during the early 7:30 PM EST timeslot. First, we have the Sacramento Kings taking on the Indiana Pacers where All-Star starter Tyrese Haliburton will lead Indiana into battle against All-Star snubs De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Then, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker take their talents on the road for Phoenix to face off with Dejounte Murray and Trae Young in Atlanta.

Draymond Green Elbows Jaren Jackson Jr. In The Face InDangerous PlayLos Angeles Clippers at Detroit Pistons – 7 PM EST

Clippers Last 10 Games: 8-2

Pistons Last 10 Games: 3-7

Clippers Injuries: Ivica Zubac – Out (Calf)

Pistons Injuries: Cade Cunningham – Day To Day (Injury Management), Isaiah Stewart – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 5-0

Our first matchup of the night features two teams who haven’t squared off in two years as the Los Angeles Clippers (31-15) travel East to take on the Detroit Pistons (6-41) on the road. The Clippers come in as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, going 8-2 over their last 10 games led by 2024 All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

The Pistons remain the worst team in the NBA with just six wins in 47 games played this season. The key to this matchup for Los Angeles is to not get complacent and let their foot off the gas against a seemingly inferior opponent. That will be up to James Harden as the leader of their offense to carry out a methodical offensive attack, remaining careful with the ball and executing a diligent game plan, something he has mastered in 2023-24 with L.A.

Prediction: Clippers def. Pistons 119-105

Miami Heat at Washington Wizards – 7 PM EST

Heat Last 10 Games: 3-7

Wizards Last 10 Games: 3-7

Heat Injuries: Duncan Robinson – Out (Concussion)

Wizards Injuries: Jordan Poole – Day To Day (Illness), Landry Shamet Day To Day (Illness), Marvin Bagley III – Day To Day (Back)

Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 3-2

After snapping a seven-game losing streak on Wednesday Night against the Kings, the Miami Heat (25-23) look to maintain that momentum as they travel to Washington D.C to take on the Washington Wizards (9-38). The Heat have struggled as of late but strong nights from Jimmy Butler and Josh Richardson on Wednesday are promising for a turnaround heading into the NBA’s trade deadline and All-Star break.

As for the Wizards, little has gone right for them in 2023-24. With nine wins in 47 games, Washington is on the brink of blowing it all up and going into full rebuild mode. Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija will be the players to watch for Washington to see what kind of energy they can bring in this Eastern Conference clash. Unfortunately for them, Miami finally tasting victory after seven straight losses could spell big trouble and smash any hopes they have of securing an upset.

Prediction: Heat def. Wizards 113-104

Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers – 7:30 PM EST

Kings Last 10 Games: 5-5

Pacers Last 10 Games: 4-6

Kings Injuries: N/A

Pacers Injuries: Bennedict Mathurin – Out (Toe)

Last 5 Meetings: Pacers Lead 3-2

When the Sacramento Kings (27-19) and the Indiana Pacers (27-22) met on January 18, the Pacers escaped with a five-point win led by 20-point games from Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell. Now, the two teams square off with a chip on Sacramento’s shoulder after All-Star reserves were announced and both De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis were left off the Western Conference team.

Something tells me that Fox and Sabonis are going to come out swinging, especially if Tyrese Haliburton is healthy enough to suit up following a back-to-back against the Knicks. With Haliburton hobbled and Bennedict Mathurin likely out for a second straight game, it is Fox who has the upper hand over Indiana’s guards. If Sacramento can exploit that matchup, they will surely coast to a win. Indiana can fend them off with a heavy dose of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner in the paint as long as they take the fight to Sabonis rather than let him get comfortable in his element as a rebounder and passer.

Prediction: Kings def. Pacers 124-120

Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM EST

Suns Last 10 Games: 8-2

Hawks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Suns Injuries: Bol Bol – Day To Day (Foot)

Hawks Injuries: De’Andre Hunter – Day To Day (Injury Management)

Last 5 Meetings: Hawks Lead 4-1

Our other marquee matchup of the evening features the Phoenix Suns (28-20) continuing their East Coast trip against the Atlanta Hawks (20-27). The Suns have been on a terrific run lately, going 8-2 in their last 10 games including wins over the Nets, Heat, Mavericks, and Pacers. Phoenix is finally healthy and the three-headed monster of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal have been at the top of their game.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks have been spiraling downward for most of the 2023-24 season. Even coming off a win over the Lakers on Tuesday, the Hawks are barely hanging on to the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. With one of the worst defenses in the NBA this season, I expect to see Phoenix’s offensive attack dismantle the Hawks in blowout fashion led by their Big 3 and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

Prediction: Suns def. Hawks 135-120

Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder – 8 PM EST

Hornets Last 10 Games: 2-8

Thunder Last 10 Games: 6-4

Hornets Injuries: LaMelo Ball – Day To Day (Ankle), Gordon Hayward – Out (Calf), Mark Williams – Out (Back)

Thunder Injuries: Isaiah Joe – Out (Sternum), Jalen Williams – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Hornets Lead 5-0

The Charlotte Hornets (10-36) come into their Friday night matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder (33-15) having won each of their last five meetings. With their last matchup coming in March of last season, tonight’s game should be the night the Thunder finally pull out a win against a struggling Hornets team that was caught laughing on the sideline after their coach was ejected during a loss to the Bulls.

The Thunder come into this one mostly healthy aside from emerging star Jalen Williams’ ankle injury suffered on Wednesday against the Timberwolves. Still, MVP hopeful Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie sensation Chet Holmgren are a duo that the Hornets are just not equipped to stop. Look for the NBA’s hottest young duo to shine tonight and get back on track as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Prediction: Thunder def. Hornets 122-111

Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8 PM EST

Magic Last 10 Games: 4-6

Timberwolves Last 10 Games: 7-3

Magic Injuries: Gary Harris – Day To Day (Calf)

Timberwolves Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Magic Lead 3-2

The Friday night clash of the Orlando Magic (25-23) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-14) features three players who were named 2024 All-Stars on Thursday. For Orlando, second-year standout Paolo Banchero earned his first All-Star nod, averaging 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in 2023-24. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns also earned All-Star selections for this season’s efforts.

As for this game in particular, the Magic are running into one of the NBA’s hottest teams at an inopportune time. The Timberwolves are fully healthy and coming off a big win over the Thunder to take back sole possession of first place in the West. The Magic will likely struggle to contain Towns and Gobert, the Timberwolves’ monster frontcourt who dominate both sides of the ball rather easily. If Jaden McDaniels can keep Banchero in check for most of the night as he often does, Minnesota could cruise to an easy victory.

Prediction: Timberwolves def. Magic 118-110

New Orleans Pelicans at San Antonio Spurs – 8 PM EST

Pelicans Last 10 Games: 4-6

Spurs Last 10 Games: 3-7

Pelicans Injuries: Zion Williamson – Day To Day (Foot), Herbert Jones – Day To Day (Adductor), Larry Nance Jr. – Day To Day (Ankle)

Spurs Injuries: Keldon Johnson – Day To Day (Elbow), Zach Collins – Day To Day (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Pelicans Lead 5-0

Tonight’s matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans (27-21) and the San Antonio Spurs (10-38) is in jeopardy of losing any attraction that it had with the injury to Zion Williamson. While his ankle injury is not considered to be serious, given his history with lower extremity issues, Williamson will likely not suit up in this one.

The Pelicans didn’t need much of Williamson in their last meeting in December when the Pelicans blew the Spurs off the court by 30 points. Just like in that one, you can expect a heavy dose of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum to lead the way for the Pelicans against an uninspired Spurs team led by rookie Victor Wembanyama.

Prediction: Pelicans def. Spurs 116-104

Toronto Raptors at Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST

Raptors Last 10 Games: 2-8

Rockets Last 10 Games: 3-7

Raptors Injuries: Immanuel Quickley – Day To Day (Quad), Jakob Poeltl – Day To Day (Ankle), RJ Barrett – Day To Day (Knee)

Rockets Injuries: Alperen Sengun – Day To Day (Illness), Tari Eason – Out (Toe)

Last 5 Meetings: Raptors Lead 4-1

Things looked promising for the Toronto Raptors (17-30) after they made some midseason moves to acquire Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett while losing veterans Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby in the process. Injuries and a tough schedule have brought them back down to Earth as losers of eight of their last 10 games. Similarly, The Houston Rockets (22-25) have also come back to reality on the outside looking into the NBA playoffs.

With both teams needing a win in the worst way, the matchup to watch is going to be between All-Star snubs Alperen Sengun of Houston and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes. These two young stars with complete offensive arsenals are the face of the future of their respective franchises and are sure to put on a show tonight. Where Houston is going to take advantage is their guard play provided by Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green. These two have been big for Houston as of late and will lead them to a win again tonight.

Prediction: Rockets def. Raptors 115-107

Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies – 8 PM EST

Warriors Last 10 Games: 4-6

Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 4-6

Warriors Injuries: Draymond Green – Day To Day (Knee), Chris Paul – Out (Hand), Dario Saric – Out (Illness), Moses Moody – Out (Calf)

Grizzlies Injuries: Luke Kennard – Day To Day (Knee), John Konchar – Day To Day (Ankle), Ziaire Williams – Out (Hand), Jake LaRavia – Out (Ankle), Desmond Bane – Out (Ankle), Marcus Smart – Out (Finger), Ja Morant – Out (Shoulder), Derrick Rose – Out (Thigh), Brandon Clarke – Out (Achilles), Steven Adams – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 3-2

If it weren’t for all of the injuries and struggles of the 2023-24 season, tonight’s matchup between the Golden State Warriors (20-24) and the Memphis Grizzlies (18-30) would be the premier matchup to watch. Instead, we will be treated to two teams who are suffering mightily from injuries and lack of continuity on the outside looking in the Western Conference playoff picture.

For Memphis, their approach has to be to feed Jaren Jackson Jr on offense to take advantage of the interior leverage they have on a much smaller Golden State lineup. On the other hand, Golden State will rely on their superstar Stephen Curry to carry the offensive load for them this evening. One name to watch for the Warriors as well is Jonathan Kuminga who has averaged 21.2 points per game on 58.9% shooting in his last 10 appearances.

Prediction: Warriors def. Grizzlies 123-117

Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets – 9 PM EST

Trail Blazers Last 10 Games: 5-5

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 7-3

Trail Blazers Injuries: Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Abdominal), Moses Brown – Out (Wrist)

Nuggets Injuries: Nikola Jokic – Day To Day (Back), Jamal Murray – Day To Day (Knee), Julian Strawther – Day To Day (Knee), Peyton Watson – Day To Day (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 4-1

As of late, the Portland Trail Blazers (15-33) have been playing some good basketball, going 5-5 in their last 10 games which includes spoiling Damian Lillard’s return to Portland with a win over the Bucks on Wednesday night. In tonight’s matchup with the defending champion Denver Nuggets (33-16), they will need all the inspiration they can find to come out with a win.

Portland does have the fact that Denver’s star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are a little banged up at the moment with back and ankle issues respectively. With Anfernee Simons averaging 20.0 points per game since returning to the lineup this month, I expect him to bring the fight to Murray on the perimeter. As for Denver, even a slower Jokic is a far superior player to Ayton in the paint. His ability as a playmaker and even as a decoy are going to be far too much for Portland to handle.

Prediction: Nuggets def Trail Blazers 121-110