Free Pick | NBA | Tuesday | Feb. 14

Nelly’s has hit 80% in the past 4 days of basketball picks with an 8-2 run! Check out 2/3 Tuesday or join us for the rest of February hoops – with winning results in 16 of the past 19 Februarys!

Free Pick Tuesday: #553 Washington Wizards +3 over Portland Trail Blazers 9:10 PM CT

A 10-game slide in December seemed to end Washington’s hopes of competing this season and the Wizards wound up dealing Rui Hachimura a few weeks later. Since late December Washington is 14-9 S/U however and the Wizards are in the #10 spot in the Eastern Conference standings as a postseason position is still possible. Washington has 12 road wins this season and owns an average scoring differential that is near-even on the season. Washington has battled through one of the NBA’s toughest paths this season and while the Wizards are just 7-15 vs. top 10 teams, they have held their own against everyone else. Portland had a hot start this season, but the Blazers continue to slide in stature though they made a few minor moves at the trade deadline, notably acquiring Cam Reddish. Jusuf Nurkic is hurt right now while Jerami Grant is a question mark as tonight’s team may not be at full strength. This is a possible letdown spot as well after beating the Lakers Monday night. Portland won 124-116 at Washington in early February but the Blazers shot exceptionally well in that game to pull away with a narrow win in a game Washington led most of the way. Kyle Kuzma is likely to be out tonight for Washington after missing Monday’s game in San Francisco, but the Wizards may be a threat to compete tonight with preferable current depth with both teams in a back-to-back situation tonight. Washington has a top seven field goal rate offense and defense as this is a team that often wins the shooting numbers and the Wizards have been posting excellent recent numbers overall as a top five net efficiency team in the past two weeks. Portland’s offense has been strong, but this remains one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and is a squad that is a great risk when laying points. With a slim favorite price at home Portland will draw some attention but the Wizards are a threat as the edge in Rip City has not been what it used to be.

Big E is on a 18-7-2 run in college basketball – including a 6-1-1 run in 15* and 20* selections. Get his next 20* tonight: