As we enter March, the NBA nears the final push towards the playoffs. There are several games on tap for Friday, with Milwaukee versus Los Angeles Lakers heading the list. Note that all information is for games played through February 26.
Portland Trailblazers versus Toronto Raptors
Portland heads into Toronto with a 37-23 record and 13-15 on the road. The Raptors are second in the Eastern Conference with a 44-17 record and 25-6 at home. They hold a +29 to +25 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Toronto is “burning hot down” having won eight of their last ten games, while Portland is “burning hot” and 7-3 over the same stretch. Both teams are among the most stable in the league according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Trailblazers won the first meeting between the teams at home, but will be underdogs in this one. Look for the Raptors to win in a tight game.
Washington Wizards versus Boston Celtics
The Washington Wizards head into Boston with a 7-24 record on the road. They are “ice cold down” having won just three of their last ten. They face a Boston team that is 37-23 on the season and 23-8 at home. Boston is also “ice cold down” and have a +20 to +5 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Both teams are high in stability at +21 for Boston and +16 for Washington. The Celtics took the first game between the teams this season and this one should be no different.
New Orleans Pelicans versus Phoenix Suns
New Orleans is 27-35 on the season and just 9-23 on the road. At 4-6 over their last ten they are “ice cold down” on the Team Volatility Oscillator and +10 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Suns have the worst record in the league at 12-50. They are 7-22 at home and 1-9 over their last ten. This all leads to 0 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “dead” status. Phoenix is extremely stable at +36, meaning they perform as their favorite/underdog status indicates. The Pelicans won the first meeting and should easily win this one as well.
Milwaukee Bucks versus Los Angeles Lakers
The Milwaukee Bucks enter with the best record in the NBA at 46-14. They are 21-9 at home and winners of nine of their last ten. They have a +28 to +13 advantage over the Lakers on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” to “ice cold down” on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Lakers are 29-31 on the season, 17-12 at home, but just 3-7 over their last ten. Fighting for their playoff hopes, the Lakers will still come up short against the best team in the league.
Charlotte Hornets versus Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn heads into the game with a 32-30 record, sixth in the Eastern Conference. They are 18-14 at home and are “burning hot”. They host a 28-32 Charlotte team that is just 8-21 on the road and 4-6 over their last ten. The Nets have a +15 to +9 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, while both teams are quite stable, at +23 and +21 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. This could be a close game, but the Nets should pull away in the fourth quarter for the win.
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