Note that team records are for games played through Tuesday, November 21.
Portland Trail Blazers versus Brooklyn Nets
Portland is 10-7 while the Nets are 6-10 this season, however the Nets defeated the Trail Blazers as a road underdog on November 11. Both teams come in with “average” status on the Team Strength Oscillator and nearly identical on the Power Ranking Indicator. Brooklyn is tied for sixth in Team Volatility and considering they will likely be home favorites, I see the Nets taking down Portland for the second time this season.
Orlando Magic versus Boston Celtics
The Celtics come in as the hottest team in the NBA at 16-2. They took down the 8-9 Magic as road favorites on November 5. Not surprisingly, the Celtics are +22.5 and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and hold a +29 to +7 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Celtics will continue rolling through the league, winning this one easily.
Toronto Raptors versus Indiana Pacers
Both clubs are playing well with “burning hot” statuses on the Team Strength Oscillator. Toronto is 11-5 while the Pacers are 10-8. The Raptors have won the last two meetings between the teams as the home favorite. The teams are nearly identical on the Power Ranking Indicator, with the Raptors holding the narrowest one-point edge. Although Toronto has done better overall and head-to-head, the Pacers are tied for 10th in Team Volatility and the hunch is to go with them in a game decided late.
Detroit Pistons versus Oklahoma City Thunder
Here is a match up of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Pistons are 11-6 and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Thunder are 7-9 and “average down”. Similar trend is seen on the Power Ranking Indicator with Detroit at +22 and climbing, while Oklahoma City is +13 and on the decline. The teams split last season, both wining as home favorites. I don’t see home court being an advantage in this one and expect the Pistons to take this first meeting between the teams this season.
New Orleans Pelicans versus Phoenix Suns
The Pelicans try to remain above .500, while the Suns look to continue their recently improved play. New Orleans is “average down” and at +14 on the Power Ranking Indicator, both edges over the Suns. However, the trend favors Phoenix, who is at +9 and on the rise on the Power Ranking Indicator and “ice cold up” showing increase on the Team Strength Oscillator. New Orleans took 3 of 4 last season, but the current trend favors the Suns in a bit of an upset.
Chicago Bulls versus Golden State Warriors
Looking for all possible ways to pick the Bulls in a major upset and not seeing much. The Bulls are “dead up” versus “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Warriors also hold a huge +23 to +4 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Bulls did manage to take 1 of 3 games between the two teams last season. That isn’t enough to expect an upset of the defending champions on their home court. I pick the Warriors in a blowout.
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