NBA Weekend Betting Picks

San Antonio at LA Clippers -3 (Saturday, 3:30 pm Eastern)

For our first pick of the weekend we look to Los Angeles, where the resurgent Clippers get another chance to prove themselves when they host the streaking San Antonio Spurs.

The Clippers are 10 games over .500 for the first time since I-don't-know-when, after winning at Portland Thursday night 74-71. San Antonio, meanwhile, has won nine games in a row, the last five on the road, after beating Toronto Wednesday 113-106.

So the Spurs sit in second place in the West, a game and a half back of first-place Oklahoma City, while the Clippers are just a game behind San Antonio.

Both teams had Friday off.

LA took a hit last week when G Chauncey Billups went down-and-out for the season with a torn Achilles.

These teams met the first week of this season at the Barn in San Antonio, in Paul's second game with the Clippers, when the Spurs blew open a close game in the third quarter on their way to winning 115-90. San Antonio ended up shooting 56 percent from the floor that night, 53 percent (10-for-19) from 3-point range and 100 percent (15-for-15) from the free-throw line.

But I expect something a little different Saturday in LA.

Pick: Take the Clippers

Atlanta at Portland NL (Saturday, 10 pm Eastern)

Saturday night also gives us an interesting interconference game to play with as the Atlanta Hawks visit the Portland Trailblazers.

Atlanta has sputtered a bit lately, losing five of its last eight games. The Hawks did, however, pick up a 101-99 road win in Phoenix Wednesday night.

So Atlanta is tied with Orlando for the key 4-5 spots in the East.

Portland has also been struggling lately, losing five of its last seven after falling at home to the Clippers Thursday night. And they took a punch to the gut when F LaMarcus Aldridge turned an ankle Tuesday night. He hasn't played since, and is questionable for Saturday.

These teams played about a month ago in Atlanta, with the Hawks holding off the Blazers 92-89. Atlanta led by 13 going into the final quarter, before Portland made it close. That game played 'under' its total of 185.

Aldridge had 20 points and 11 boards that night.

Pick: Take the Hawks

Dallas at New York NL (Sunday, 1 pm Eastern, ABC)

Sunday's action begins out East as the New York Lins – I mean Knicks – host the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

As you might have heard there's some sort of insanity surrounding this New York team, which led by some guy from Harvard has won seven games in a row. So the Knicks, at 15-15 going into a home game vs. New Orleans Friday night, have moved into the eight spot in the East.

Dallas, meanwhile, has won five in a row itself, after downing Denver Wednesday 102-84. So the champs, going into a game at Philly Friday night, own the four spot in the West.

The Mavs, however, might be without G Jason Terry this weekend, after he pulled a quad Wednesday night.

On the other side of the floor New York is still missing F Carmelo Anthony, who's dealing with a pulled groin.

LinSanity's offensive exploits may be getting all the ink, but during its winning streak New York has allowed just under 90 PPG.

Pick: Take the 'under'

Denver at Oklahoma City NL (Sunday, 8 pm Eastern, ESPN)

And for our final pick of the weekend we go to Oklahoma City, where the West-leading Thunder host the Denver Nuggets.

OKC lost at Houston Wednesday 96-95, but at 22-7 (going into a home game vs. Golden State Friday night) they still lead the West by a game and a half over second-place San Antonio.

Denver, on the other hand, depleted a bit by injuries, has lost eight of its last 11 games, after going down in Dallas Wednesday. So while the Nuggets are tied with the Rockets for the 6-7 spots in the West, they're in danger of fading away in that very competitive race.

The Thunder are 6-5 ATS as favorites at home this season. Denver, though, is 6-3 ATS as road dogs.

Pick: Take the points with the Nuggets