NBA Picks December 2: Celtics Host Heat in Featured Game

As the calendar heads to December, the NBA season is about 20 percent complete.  There are four games scheduled for December 2. I will look at all the matchups with the Heat facing the Celtics in Boston in the headlined matchup.

Miami  Heat versus Boston Celtics

Boston enters with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, while Miami is sixth. The Celtics have won six straight and “burning hot” versus “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +29 to +15 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Celtics have been the more stable team, +12 to +6 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Boston also has a +10.6 to +1.1 scoring differential edge. This is the first meeting between the teams this season. Boston is 7-2 at home and Miami is 5-4 on the road. I like Boston but pass on the over/under bet.

New Orleans Pelicans versus Atlanta Hawks

New Orleans has the worst record in the Western Conference and “dead” status after six consecutive losses. Atlanta is 5-5 over the last ten, ninth in the Eastern Conference and “ice cold up” status. The teams have been trending in games on opposite side of the line with a score prediction of 119-98 in favor of Atlanta with 69 percent confidence. The Hawks won by 15 in New Orleans earlier this season. Both teams have a negative scoring differential with New Orleans worst in the NBA at -11.8 I like the Hawks by double digits in a game “over” the line.

Brooklyn Nets versus Chicago Bulls

Both teams come into play with losing records, sitting and eighth and tenth in the Eastern Conference, respectively. Brooklyn is “burning hot” after winning three straight and Chicago is “average down” after a 3-3 stretch. The teams are trending in games “over” the line with a score prediction of 116-115 in favor of Brooklyn with 48 percent confidence. The Nets won by eight as a home favorite in the only previous game between the teams this season. Chicago is only 2-6 at home and has a -5.7 scoring differential compared to -2 for the Nets. I like The Bulls to get back on track at home in a game “over” the line.

Los Angeles Lakers versus Minnesota Timberwolves

The Lakers are off to a good start this season at four-over .500, while Minnesota is struggling at 8-10. Los Angeles is “average” versus “ice cold down” and +20 to +8 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams are trending in games on opposite sides of the line with a score prediction dead even at the moment with 33 percent confidence. Minnesota is 5-4 at home and Los Angeles is 4-5 on the road. The Lakers won the first meeting between the teams this season by six points at home. Despite a worse record, Minnesota has a +1 to -0.9 scoring differential edge. I like the Timberwolves to get back on track but pass on the over/under bet.

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