The NBA season has passed the halfway point and the top teams are starting to emerge. The Warriors have gotten hot and moved to the top of the Western Conference. We’ll examine their match up against the Clippers along with four other games. Note that all information is for games played through January 15.
Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Clippers
The Golden State Warriors enter with a 30-14 record, tops in the Western Conference. They have won five straight and are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +28 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Clippers are sixth in the conference and 14-8 at home. However they have lost their last three, contributing to their “average down” status and +16 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The teams have split meetings this year, both winning at home. According to the Team Volatility Oscillator, both teams are among the most stable in the NBA. With the Warriors as likely favorites on the road and with their hot play of late, look for them to win this game to continue their top position in the Western Conference.
Memphis Grizzlies versus Boston Celtics
Boston enters having lost their last three and are fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Grizzlies are near the bottom in the Western Conference and just 2-8 over their last ten. Boston won the first meeting this season between the teams on December 29, 2018 by nine points as a road underdog. Both teams heading in the wrong direction, Boston is “average down” versus “dead” for Memphis. The Celtics have a huge advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, +20 to +4 and are the more stable team at +12 to +8. There is little to indicate the Grizzlies can pull off a road upset. Boston will win and likely by double digits.
Cleveland Cavaliers versus Utah Jazz
The Cavaliers have the worst record on the NBA at 9-35 and have lost nine of their last ten games. Utah is tied for eighth in the Western Conference and have won four straight. They hold a +21 to 0 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “dead up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Jazz won by 26 as a road favorite less than two weeks ago. Cleveland is one of the most stable teams in the league at +24 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. As a huge road underdog, they have little chance. The Jazz will win in a blowout.
San Antonio Spurs versus Minnesota Timberwolves
San Antonio has dropped their last two and are seventh in the Western Conference, while the Timberwolves are coming off a 42-point blowout loss to the 76ers. The Spurs have a +18 to +10 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and both teams are hovering in the average range on the Team Strength Oscillator. San Antonio has won two of the three meetings this season with the favorite winning each time. The Spurs are also the more stable of the two teams and will likely be narrow road underdogs. Because of this, look for the Timberwolves to get back on track, winning in a game decided late.
New Orleans Pelicans versus Portland Trailblazers
Portland has dropped their last two but are still fifth in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are 2 1/2 games out of the number eight seed and are 6-4 over their last ten. Portland took the first meeting between the teams this season by 13 points as a road favorite and will be home favorites in this one. That bodes well to pick them in part that the Pelicans are one of the more stable teams in the league. The Trailblazers have a +22 to +10 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and both teams are treading water playing average ball over their last ten. Portland should win this game probably by a five to ten point margin.
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