Only three weeks remain in the NBA regular season, and only five teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Each game takes on increased importance. There are ten games scheduled for March 23. I will make picks for the top four contests of the day with the Pistons hosting the Lakers in the featured game.
Los Angeles Lakers versus Detroit Pistons
The Pistons head into action with the best record in the Eastern Conference, while the Lakers are 3rd in the Western Conference. Both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator, going a combined 11-1 over the last 12 games. Los Angeles is +28 to +24 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Both teams are trending in games “over” the line, and Detroit has a scoring differential edge of +7.7 to +1.7. The Pistons won by 22 as a road favorite in the previous game between the teams this season. The Lakers have one of the best road records in the league at 24-11, while the Pistons are 25-8 at home. I think home court advantage is the key in this one. Go with the Pistons in a game decided by five points or less in a game “over” the line.
San Antonio Spurs versus Miami Heat
The Spurs are 2nd in the Western Conference and one of two teams in the NBA to secure a playoff berth, while the Heat is in 8th in the Eastern Conference. Miami has lost three straight and “average” status, and San Antonio is “burning hot” after winning the last four. The teams have been involved in games “over” the line in eight of the last 12 combined, and the Spurs have a scoring differential edge of +7.2 to +3.2. According to the Team Volatility Oscillator, San Antonio has been one of the most stable teams in the league, particularly over the last six weeks. The Spurs have a better record on the road than the Heat has at home, and won the first game between the teams this season as a home favorite. I see a similar result on the road, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
Houston Rockets versus Chicago Bulls
Both teams are “ice cold down” and 2-4 over the last six games. Despite the poor play, the Rockets are in good playoff position, sitting 5th in the Western Conference. The Bulls have all but been eliminated, eight games out of the play-in round. The teams have been trending in games “under” the line, but the score predicted total is 236 with nearly 80 percent confidence. Houston has a decided advantage in scoring differential at +3.8 to -4.4, and +16 to +8 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Home court probably won’t mean much in this one, with the Bulls three games under .500 at home. Houston won the first game this season between the teams by six points. I like the Rockets in a game “over” the line.
Milwaukee Bucks versus Los Angeles Clippers
Both teams are looking to get back on track. The Bucks are 1-5 over the last six and “dead” status, while the Clippers are 2-4 and “ice cold down” over the same period. Despite the poor play recently, the Clippers are still in play-in round position, but the Bucks need a miracle at 7.5 games out to get into the play-in round. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the over/under line, so I will be passing on that bet. Milwaukee is a mere 12-22 on the road, while Los Angeles is 19-15 at home. The Clippers also have a +0.5 to -5.4 scoring differential edge. Both teams have been consistent regarding their favorite/underdog status. The Bucks won the previous game between the teams by six points at home, but they are dreadful on the road. I like the Clippers to win easily, perhaps by double digits.
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