Trent Reinsmith
Week 22 of the 2022 NBA season is winding down and with that teams continue to jockey for a spot in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Here are three of the more important games on the NBA schedule for this weekend.
Before we look at the significant games on this weekend’s NBA schedule, be sure to check out the best NBA betting sites and our NBA Finals betting guide.
Bulls vs. Suns
- Date & Location: Friday, March 18 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: Bally Sports AZ, NBC Sports Chicago, NBA TV
| Teams |  |  |  |  |  |
| Chicago Bulls | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Phoenix Suns | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
The Chicago Bulls are still in the mix for spot in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, but the team is sliding. Chicago is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but the team is on a 3-7 run heading into their game on Friday against the league leading Phoenix Suns. The Suns are 7-3 in their past 10 outings and on a three-game winning streak.
Phoenix won the first meeting of the season between these two teams, topping the Bulls 127-124 in Chicago. The Suns are 29-8 at home this year, while the Bulls are a 16-18 road team.
Devin Booker is pacing the Suns. The 25-year-old shot more than 50 percent from the floor in the teams win over the Rockets on Tuesday and put up 27 points, five rebounds, eight assists and two steals on 30 minutes of game time.
Bulls’ leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan is in a bit of a slump as of late. The 32-year-old has put up lower than average points in his past three outings with the team. The Bulls need DeRozan to get back on track if they hope to win.
Pick: Phoenix to beat Chicago.
Lakers vs. Wizards
- Date & Location: Saturday, March 19 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: NBCSWA, Spectrum Sportsnet, NBA League Pass
| Teams | | | | | |
| Los Angeles Lakers | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Washington Wizards | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
The playoff prospects for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Washington Wizards look bleak, but both teams remain in the mix for the 2022 NBA postseason. The Wizards are the No. 11 team in the Eastern Conference, while the Lakers are in the No. 9 spot in the West.
Washington is 2-8 in its past 10 games and riding a five-game losing skid as of this writing. Los Angeles is also on a 2-8 run. The Lakers have lost their past three games. The Wizards are 17-18 at home. Los Angeles is a 9-23 road team. The teams played on March 11 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won that game 122-109.
Kristaps Porzingis has helped the Wizards offense since arriving via trade. He is averaging 20.8 points per game for the club to go with 7 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Despite a bothersome knee, LeBron James has been playing well for the Lakers. In a loss to Toronto on Monday, James put up 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Pick: Washington to beat Los Angeles.
Celtics vs Nuggets
- Date & Location: Sunday, March 20 at Ball Arena in Denver, CO
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: Altitude, NBC Sports Boston, NBA League Pass
| Teams | | | | | |
| Boston Celtics | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Denver Nuggets | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
The Boston Celtics are playing great basketball as the 2022 NBA playoffs approach. Boston is in the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference and on an 8-2 run in their past 10 games. On Sunday, the Celtics are in Colorado to face the No. 6 team in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets. Denver is also playing well. The team is 7-3 in its last 10 games.
Boston is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. The Celtics are 17-3 since January 29. Jayson Tatum has cooled a bit in his past two outings, but he had a stretch between March 1 and March 11 where he scored 33, 37, 54, 44 and 31 points.
The Nuggets are almost as hot as the Celtics. Denver is 14-4 since February 6. The team is being led by defending NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who is currently the leading candidate to take home that title in 2022.
This should be an incredibly entertaining game. The Celtics won the first meeting between these clubs 108-102 and I think they get the season sweep.
Pick: Boston to beat Denver.
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