NBA Playoffs Free Picks: Bulls vs. 76ers - Heat vs. Knicks and more

On a weekend dominated by the 2012 Kentucky Derby betting headlines created on Saturday, the NBA playoffs should be back center stage on Sunday with four more games scheduled. The action gets underway in the early afternoon with the Chicago Bulls looking to prove they can win without reigning MVP Derrick Rose in the lineup, and while that is something that they have managed to do all year, they did look shaky in a game two loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. The Miami Heat are looking fine with the big three firing on all cylinders as they head to New York City, and will look to take a commanding three-games-to-none series lead, before Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers try to do the same later on in Denver.

Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Bulls got some reinforcements in the form of praise from Chicago basketball legend Scottie Pippen, who said that even with the loss of Rose they are still the team to beat in the Eastern conference.

Considering they did lead the league in rebounding and team defense, there is some substance to that pay per head sports type claim, but they are going to work harder than they did all year to reach that level in the playoffs. Philadelphia proved to be too quick for Chicago in game two with Rose sidelined, and ended up scoring 109 points in a 17-point win. Bulls’ head coach Tom Thibodeau knows very well how to get the most out of what he has, so don’t expect anything less from Chicago this Sunday afternoon.

NBA Betting Pick: Chicago Bulls

Miami Heat @ New York Knicks
Sunday, 3:30 PM ET

The big three are on a mission to get back to the NBA finals, and that’s something sports betting online fans can capitalize on. With the experience of last year’s run through the Eastern conference, Lebron James and company know how important efficiency will be. The Knicks are an absolute mess both on and off the court once again after Amare Stoudamire messed up his hand after the game two loss, meaning this series could come to an end this weekend.

NBA Betting Pick: Miami Heat

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics
Sunday, 7:00 PM ET

The Celtics were the hottest team in the NBA after the All Star break, and should get a boost playing at home in front of their fans. Boston will also have a full team with Rajon Rondo back from his suspension and their experience combined with having a full roster should be enough for them to move one step closer to the Eastern conference finals.

NBA Betting Pick: Boston Celtics

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
Sunday, 9:30 PM ET

Watching the Nuggets since they traded Carmelo Anthony, it’s obvious that head coach George Karl understands how to get his team to play smart basketball at both ends of the floor, as Denver is once again back in the postseason without any one superstar to rely on. Unfortunately for the Nuggets their lack of size is even more obvious against a Lakers’ team that has two of the best big men in the association in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, as well as one of its most clutch performers in Kobe Bryant.

NBA Betting Free Pick: Los Angeles Lakers