The NBA regular season schedule is down to the final couple of weeks and playoff positioning is still up in the air. With nearly every game important, there are six scheduled for April 1. We will look at four matchups with the Pelicans hosting the Suns in the headlined matchup.
New Orleans Pelicans versus Phoenix Suns
Phoenix comes in a half-game out of the sixth seed in the Western Conference and New Orleans is fifth with a shot at a top-four seed. Both teams are 4-2 over the last six and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. New Orleans has a +22 to +18 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been trending in games “under” the line with a score prediction of 119-117 in favor of New Orleans with 77 percent confidence. The Pelicans have an excellent road record of 24-14 and look to even the score after falling 123-109 against the Suns on January 19 as a home favorite. I like New Orleans this time around in a game “over” the line.
Boston Celtics versus Charlotte Hornets
Boston comes in with the best record in the NBA and Charlotte is among the worst teams in the league. The Celtics are 25-13 on the road versus 10-24 at home for the Hornets. Boston is coming off a two-game losing streak and “average” while Charlotte is “dead up” after coming off a win over Cleveland. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in each of the last nine games with a score prediction of 123-113 in favor of Boston with 66 percent confidence. The teams split the previous two games this season, both winning at home. Neither team has anything to play for with Boston already clinching top seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston is too talented and will win by double digits in a game “over” the line.
Brooklyn Nets versus Indiana Pacers
Brooklyn is out of the playoff picture, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, and Indiana is clinging to sixth in the conference trying to avoid the play-in round. Brooklyn is coming off two straight wins and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator, but Indiana is +12 to +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Nets have struggled to 12-26 on the road and the Pacers are 21-15 at home. Indiana won the first game between the teams this season by 21 points as a heavy home favorite. The score prediction is for the Pacers to win by three with 79 percent confidence. With the teams trending on opposite sides of the line, I will pass on the “over/under” bet. I like the Pacers to win by six to ten points to keep a stronghold on their position in the conference.
Atlanta Hawks versus Chicago Bulls
Both teams are pretty much locked into the play-in round, sitting ninth and tenth in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks are “burning hot” after a four-game winning streak, while the Bulls are “average” after a 3-3 stretch. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in ten of the last 12 with a score prediction of 109-103 in favor of Atlanta with 79 percent confidence. Atlanta is a relatively poor 14-22 on the road and the Bulls are mediocre at home at 19-19. Chicago won both previous games between the teams this season, one at home and one on the road. I like Atlanta in this one but will pass on the “over/under” bet.
Upgrade now and follow the winners!
P.S. Upgrade to Zcode VIP Club and Unlock All Winning Picks. Instant Access.
