Last week in NBA Pick ‘Em went pretty well. I went 5 of 6 in picking winners and had my margin of victory within three points twice. That was good for 420 points. Let’s see what Week 19 has in store.

Last Week’s Results

NBA Pick ‘Em Week 19 – Nuggets over Clippers by Nine Points

The two picks I break down are going to be Clipper-centric this week. There’s a lot going on with the Clippers that could have big repercussions down the stretch.

For instance, can you think of the number of times that Kawhi Leonard lost his cool during a game? One of the more under-the-radar stories of his playing in Toronto last year was Leonard’s personality. We saw more emotion and personality from him in that one year than we’d seen his entire career.

So, when things like this happen note must be taken:

It is for this reason that I have the Nuggets taking this game over the Clippers. Alls is not well in #ClipperNation. The playoffs will be here before we know it. The All-Star break has passed but LAC is still not a cohesive team. Even worse, the obvious chemistry issues are clearly wearing on them as a group.

The Clippers have lost three in a row as I make my picks. Their next two games are at home to Memphis then on the road against Phoenix. I predict they’ll get wins in those two games against obviously and really obviously lower-tier teams. But I don’t see the next few days being enough time to fix the issues they’re having. Facing another NBA Finals contender like Denver will be too much.

And yes, I said another NBA Finals contender. The Clippers may not have had the dominant regular season many were expecting but let’s be real, they’re still sitting third in the Eastern Conference. They’re going to be a handful for anyone in a seven-game series.

Clippers Over 76ers by Five Points

This pick can be seen as pretty simple. On the road against the Clippers is not going to be a W for the 76ers. I mean, come on. We’re talking about a team that has only won nine games on the road as I write this.

But my pick isn’t just about Philly’s road record. This is a game the Clippers should look at as an opportunity to get back on track as a team. Especially if they lose to Denver, they’ll be a team hungry to prove that they can get it done against other playoff teams.

The largest factor in picking the Clippers over the 76ers, though, is Ben Simmons‘ availability. During the ‘6ers game against the Bucks on Saturday, during the broadcast, they said that Philly’s plan was to have Simmons in the locker room getting treatment when he wasn’t on the floor. Um… really guys? You really didn’t think sitting him altogether wouldn’t have been a better decision? It’s not like you were going to beat the now 48-8 Bucks anyway.

Simmons has already been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks and according to Woj, will undergo more evaluation tomorrow. This does not bode well for the rest of the 76ers season.

This after Embiid was not pulled from the game where he dislocated his finger, an injury that required surgery that week. I’ve not been shy in expressing my opinion of the 76ers chances at a title with Embiid and Simmons starting together. Now, thinking about how Philly is choosing to manage their stars’ injuries, I’m beginning to think whichever of the two is eventually traded (yeah, it’s only a matter of time) may just be getting the better of the deal.

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Check out the gallery below for my other four picks for week 19.