With only around 25 percent of the NBA regular season remaining, each game takes on added importance for teams making a playoff run. There is a light five-game schedule for March 9. I will make picks for each game with Oklahoma City hosting Denver in the featured game.
Philadelphia 76ers versus Cleveland Cavaliers
The 76ers are 6th in the Eastern Conference, while the Cavaliers are 4th. Cleveland is “burning hot” versus “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +26 to +16 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Both teams are trending in games “under” the line, and the Cavaliers have a scoring differential edge of +4.2 to -0.1. The Cavaliers post a solid home record of 21-11, while the 76ers are one of the best road teams in the league at 17-12. Both teams are very consistent regarding their favorite/underdog status. Cleveland has won all three meetings between the teams this season. I see that trend continuing in a game “under” the line.
Denver Nuggets versus Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have posted the best record in the NBA, and the Nuggets are 5th in the Western Conference. Both teams are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator, and Oklahoma City is +29 to +23 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been even in games over and under the line over the last 12. The Thunder has the top scoring differential in the league at +11.1, compared to +4.4 for the Nuggets. Denver is ten games over .500 on the road, but Oklahoma City has the best home record in the NBA. The Thunder has taken the last four games between the teams. I like that streak to extend to five in a game “over” the line.
Memphis Grizzlies versus Brooklyn Nets
Here’s a matchup with two teams going nowhere. Memphis is 11th in the Western Conference, six games out of the play-in round, while Brooklyn is tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn is winless over the last team, while Memphis is 3-7 over the same stretch. Both are “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator, and Memphis is +6 to 0 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The score prediction on ZCode is 115-113 in favor of Memphis is 76 percent confidence. Both teams are well under .500 at home and on the road. The Nets have the worst scoring differential in the Eastern Conference at -8.8. I like the Grizzlies, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
Golden State Warriors versus Utah Jazz
The Warriors are in the mix for the play-in round, while the Jazz are looking forward to summer vacation, sitting second-to-last in the Western Conference. The Warriors are “average” after a 3-3 stretch compared to “dead up” for the Jazz, going 1-5 over the last six. The teams are trending on opposite sides of the line, with the Warriors predicted to win by ZCode by 11 points with 69 percent confidence. Although only 13-17 on the road, Golden State has a better record than Utah’s home record. Utah is one of the most stable teams in the league at +28 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. This game should be all Warriors, winning by double digits in a game “over” the line.
New York Knicks versus Los Angeles Clippers
The Knicks are 3rd in the Eastern Conference, while the Clippers are in fighting for a play-in position in the Western Conference. The Clippers have won three straight and are “burning hot”, and the Knicks are 4-2 over the last six with “average” status. The Knicks’ road record is nearly identical to the Clippers’ home record. ZCode has the Knicks winning by four with nearly 80 percent confidence. New York has a scoring differential edge of +6.1 to +0.4. New York won the first meeting between the teams this season as a home favorite. I like them on the road as well, but pass on the “over/under” bet.
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