As the regular season dwindles, teams prepare for the final push for playoff seeding. Here’s what’s in store for Friday, March 30.
Note that standings are for games played through Monday, March 26.
Philadelphia 76ers versus Atlanta Hawks
The 76ers come in as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Trying to hold home court advantage for the first round, they take on an Atlanta team with the worst record in the conference. The 76ers hold a commanding +27 to +2 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and are “burning hot” versus “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. They are also tied for seventh in Team Volatility and will be a road favorite. Barring a collapse, the 76ers should walk away with a relatively comfortable win.
New Orleans Pelicans versus Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is trying to hold of the 76ers for third in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans are in a five team battle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Cavaliers hold the slightest margin (+26 to +25) on the Power Ranking Indicator, while both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. New Orleans won the last meeting between the teams and are tied for tenth in Team Volatility. Cleveland will be a slight home favorite, which should be the outcome of this game. The Cavs will win by a slim margin.
Denver Nuggets versus Oklahoma City Thunder
Denver is looking for a final push to make the playoffs and the Thunder try to hold position for home court advantage in the first round. The teams are deadlocked at two games each in the season series. Oklahoma City has a +23 to +15 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and are “burning hot” versus “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Denver is also just 13-24 on the road, giving little indication that they can steal a win in Oklahoma City. I go with the Thunder in perhaps a double-digit win.
Milwaukee Bucks versus Los Angeles Lakers
The Bucks are in excellent position to secure a playoff berth, while the Lakers can only play spoiler at this point. Milwaukee won the first meeting between the teams this season and holds a +21 to +11 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Although only “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator, the Bucks are a respectable 5-5 over their last ten. The Lakers are “ice cold down” and tied for ninth in Team Volatility. Being an underdog at home wont help. Go with the Bucks to take one on the road.
Los Angeles Clippers versus Portland Trail Blazers
The Clippers are on the outside looking in and need help to make the post season. The Trail Blazers are in a solid number three position and hold a +14 to +3 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. They are 8-2 over their last ten, while the Clippers are 5-5 and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Portland has won three of the first four meetings this season. I don’t see that trend changing as Portland will bury the hopes of the Clippers with a win in this one.
Memphis Grizzlies versus Utah Jazz
Utah is in a multiple team battle for playoff seeding in the Western Conference, while the Grizzlies look to avoid the worst record in the conference. The Jazz have won the last two meetings and have a +15 to +1 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The have won eight of their last ten games and the Grizzlies have dropped eight of their last ten, leading to their “dead” status. If you’re looking for an upset pick, this isn’t the game to do so. The Jazz will win this one easily.
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