Quickly approaching the All-Star break, teams are looking to gain momentum for the second-half push. Several games on scheduled for January 31, with Denver and Milwaukee the featured matchup.
Denver Nuggets versus Milwaukee Bucks
The Denver Nuggets head into play third in the Western Conference and are 14-8 on the road. Milwaukee has the best record in the NBA at 40-6 and 21-2 at home. Both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Bucks have a +29 to +20 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The teams have been trending on opposite sides of the line according to the Totals Predictor, so best to avoid betting the over/under on this one. Denver has been performing a bit more consistently according to their favorite/underdog status. Clearly the Nuggets are a strong team and will put up a good fight, but the Bucks are too strong and at home are nearly impossible to beat. Go with the Bucks to pull away late.
Toronto Raptors versus Detroit Pistons
The Raptors have pulled on top in the Atlantic Division and are third in the Eastern Conference. They face the Pistons, who have struggled to 17-31 overall and 9-16 at home. Toronto has a +27 to +9 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “ice cold down” status. They are also clearly the most consistent team at +23 to +10 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Expect a high scoring contest, so betting the over is a wise choice. The Raptors have won the first two meetings this season between the teams and that trend is unlikely to change. The pick is for Toronto to win by double-digits.
Dallas Mavericks versus Houston Rockets
Battling for playoff positioning, the Mavericks enter fifth in the Western Conference, while the Rockets are currently sixth. Dallas is 16-6 on the road, and Houston is nearly identical at home with a 15-7 mark. The Mavericks are “average up” versus “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and narrow +17 to +16 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Expect more of a defensive battle and the best bet is to go with the under. Dallas won the first meeting between the teams this season on the road. Both teams are showing moderate stability. In a slight upset, go with the Mavericks to edge the Rockets as a road underdog.
Oklahoma City Thunder versus Phoenix Suns
Oklahoma City is holding on to the seventh seed in the Western Conference and is 13-10 on the road. They head to Phoenix to take on the 19-27 Suns, who are only 9-16 at home. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the over/under, so best to avoid betting on that in this matchup. The Thunder are “burning hot” down at +22 on the Power Ranking Indicator versus +14 and “average down”. Note that the Suns are only +3 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, so their favorite/underdog status should be taken more lightly. Despite playing on the road, the Thunder should have enough to take down the Suns.
Portland Trailblazers versus Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers come in with the best record in the Western Conference and are 16-5 at home. Portland has slumped to 20-27 overall and 9-16 on the road. Both teams have been mediocre of late, both around “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Los Angeles holds a +27 to +12 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator, while both teams have been performing according to their favorite/underdog status. Expect a high scoring contest, so the prudent bet is to play the “over”. Los Angeles has won the first two meetings between the teams and will extend their record to 3-0 this season against the Trailblazers.
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