With the second half of the NBA season in full swing, let’s take a look at some good match ups on tap for Friday.

Detroit Pistons versus Orlando Magic

The Pistons look to make a playoff push, while the Magic try to avoid the basement in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are heading on a downward trend, with an “ice cold down” status on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams are nearly identical on the Power Ranking Indicator. Purely looking at the standings would lean me towards the Pistons, but Detroit is just 9-19 on the road and the Magic have  ... 

New Orleans Pelicans versus Philadelphia 76ers

Both teams are eighth in their respective conferences and are relatively evenly matched on the oscillators. The 76ers hold a +16 to +12 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average” to “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Pelicans won the first meeting as a home favorite, but the 76ers will likely be a favorite at home this time. Given that the 76ers are tied for 9th in Team Volatility, I like Philadelphia in a game decided by six points or less.

Indiana Pacers versus Boston Celtics

The Celtics are on top  ... 

Atlanta Hawks versus Boston Celtics

Although Boston still leads in the Atlantic Division, they have played relatively poorly over their last ten. This is indicated by their “dead” status on the Team Strength Oscillator and their +4 rating on the Power Ranking Indicator. Atlanta is also fairly poorly of late, with an “ice cold down” status and +5 on the Power Ranking Indicator. Boston has won the first two this season as road favorites. It’s hard to envision them losing at home, so go with the Celtics, as they will pull away in the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles Lakers versus  ... 

Philadelphia 76ers versus San Antonio Spurs

The 76ers come in “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator despite blowing a big lead against the Grizzlies on Monday. The Spurs are “average down” and are just +14 on the Power Ranking Index compared to +28 for the 76ers. Philadelphia won the last meeting as a home favorite on January 3. The Spurs are likely the favorite at home and are tied for sixth in Team Volatility. Although I give the edge to the Spurs at home, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a Philadelphia upset, so would avoid betting on this  ... 

San Antonio Spurs versus Toronto Raptors

The Spurs come in “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the Raptors are “average”. San Antonio also holds a slim +17 to +16 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and won the first meeting between the teams this season as a home favorite. Toronto is also “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and are likely the favorite in this being the home team. The Spurs are also tied for ninth in Team Volatility, which makes the Raptors a good bet as the home favorite.

Miami Heat versus Brooklyn Nets

The teams hook up  ... 

Detroit Pistons versus Philadelphia 76ers

The Pistons are in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, while the 76ers look to edge closer to the .500 mark. The Pistons are “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the 76ers are “ice cold down”. However the 76ers at +10 on the Power Ranking Indicator are trending up, while the Pistons are +15 and on the decline. The teams have split the first two meetings of the season. The key will be the status of Joel Embiid who injured his shooting hand on December 31. If he plays on Friday, I  ... 

Note that team records are for games played through December 19

New York Knicks versus Detroit Pistons

The Teams are fairly evenly matched, as the Knicks head in at 16-14 while the Pistons are at 17-13. Detroit won the first meeting between the teams as a road underdog on October 21. New York holds a +25 to +20 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, although Detroit has been rapidly on the rise. The Knicks are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and are tied for first in Team Volatility. If the Knicks are the favorite come tip off, go  ... 

Golden State Warriors versus Detroit Pistons

The Warriors are second in the Western Conference, while the Pistons are fourth in the East. Golden State will likely be without Steph Curry, due to an ankle injury, increasing Detroit’s chances. The Warriors still hold clear advantages on the Power Ranking Indicator (+26 to +11) and on the Team Strength Oscillator, “burning hot” versus “average down”. However, the Pistons won as a road dog on October 29. While the Warriors likely will come out with a victory, placing a bet on the underdog in this case might not be a bad choice.

Cleveland  ... 

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  ...