The NBA season is a month old and teams and the first-ever In-Season Tournament is underway. There are eight games scheduled for Monday, November 20th. We will look at five of them with the Knicks versus Timberwolves highlighting the action.
New York Knicks versus Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has been a surprise team this season and is coming off a 5-1 stretch, earning a “burning hot down” status. The Knicks are 4-2 over their last six games and “average up” status. Both teams have been involved in games mainly “over” the line and a 230-point total score prediction of 121-109 for Minnesota screams betting “over” in this one. Be aware that the Knicks have been one of the most consistent teams in the league with regard to their favorite/underdog status. Minnesota will be a home favorite and I like them to win in a high-scoring contest, easily going “over” the line.
Boston Celtics versus Charlotte Hornets
Boston is the top team in the Eastern Conference and is “burning hot” heading into Charlotte, who is “ice cold down” after losing four of their last five games. The teams have been trending on opposite sides of the over/under line with a score prediction of 119-113 in favor of Boston. The Celtics are +25 to +3 on the Power Ranks Indicator and took down the Hornets by 25 in their first meeting this season. Charlotte has been very inconsistent concerning their favorite/underdog status. I see little chance for Charlotte to keep this close. I like Boston by double-digits but pass on the over/under bet.
Milwaukee Bucks versus Washington Wizards
Here’s another contest with two teams heading in the opposite direction. The Bucks are 4-2 over their last six and “burning hot” against Washington’s 1-5 over the last six and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Both teams have been trending in games mainly “over” the line and the score prediction of 123-113 in favor of Milwaukee leans towards betting “over” the line. Both teams have been very stable, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. A little weight goes towards Washington at home, but not enough to pick them. Go with the Bucks in a game “over” the line.
Sacramento Kings versus New Orleans Pelicans
Here’s yet another game where the teams are trending in opposite directions. Sacramento is riding a five-game winning streak, while New Orleans ended a five-game skid with a home win over the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams have been involved in games “over” the line in four of their last six. The score prediction has New Orleans by six points with 65 percent confidence. The two teams have not met this season and Sacramento has a large edge of +21 to +7 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Although New Orleans is at home, I’m going with the hot hand and like the Kings, but will pass on the over/under bet.
Los Angeles Clippers versus San Antonio Spurs
Both teams have dropped six straight and the Clippers have been a major disappointment with their big four “star” players. The teams are “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator and the Clippers have a +5 to +4 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. Los Angeles has been dreadful in scoring points, playing in games mostly “under” the line. Los Angeles won by 40 in the first meeting this season, but the score prediction is for the Spurs to even the score, 125-110 with 64 percent confidence San Antonio is the more stable team, making them the more favorable bet in this mainly toss-up game. I like the Spurs but pass on the over/under bet..
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