With the second half of the NBA season in full swing, let’s take a look at some good match ups on tap for Friday.
Detroit Pistons versus Orlando Magic
The Pistons look to make a playoff push, while the Magic try to avoid the basement in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are heading on a downward trend, with an “ice cold down” status on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams are nearly identical on the Power Ranking Indicator. Purely looking at the standings would lean me towards the Pistons, but Detroit is just 9-19 on the road and the Magic have won both meetings this season between the teams. I think the Magic will pull this off in a tight contest.
Charlotte Hornets versus Philadelphia 76ers
Charlotte sits 10th in the Eastern Conference and the 76ers are seventh, looking to make a move up in the playoff seeding. Both teams are playing well lately, Charlotte on a four-game streak and the 76ers have won eight of their last ten. Both are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator, while the 76ers have a five point edge on the Power Ranking Indicator. Philadelphia has been on a roll at home and I see that continuing in this first meeting between the clubs this season.
Toronto Raptors versus Washington Wizards
Toronto leads the Eastern Conference while the Wizards look go overtake Cleveland for the third seed. The Raptors are “burning hot” and +27 on the Power Ranking Indicator, holding clear advantages over Washington, who are “average down” and +12. However, the Wizards hold a 2-1 edge in the season series. Toronto is nearly as good on the road as the Wizards are at home, negating the home court edge that may have existed. I see the Raptors taking a close one on the road to remain on top in the conference.
Oklahoma City Thunder versus Phoenix Suns
The Thunder are among several teams jockeying for position in the Western Conference playoff race. On the flip side, the Suns have the worst record in the NBA and have lot ten straight. Phoenix is “dead” and 0 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while the Thunder are “burning hot” and +22. Oddly enough, the Suns won the first meeting between the teams this season by 14 points. This time around, the Thunder should be able to win decisively. Go with the Thunder by double-digits.
Minnesota Timberwolves versus Utah Jazz
Minnesota attempts to hold on to the third seed in the Western Conference and the Jazz try to edge into the number eight spot. Utah is 8-2 over the last two games, leading to their “burning hot” status and +19 on the Power Ranking Indicator. Minnesota is “ice cold down” and only +8 on the Power Ranking Indicator. So despite the wide disparity in the standings, the Jazz have been on the better trend lately. The Timberwolves have struggled on the road, while the Jazz are 19-11 at home. I see this trend continuing, as the Jazz will beat the Timberwolves for the first time in three meetings this season.
New York Knicks versus Los Angeles Clippers
The Knicks are 1-9 over their last ten, pretty much ending playoff hopes. On the other hand, the Clippers are just a game out for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. New York is “dead up” and +7 on the Power Ranking Indicator, while the Clippers are “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +13. Both teams are in the top ten in Team Volatility, which makes this an even easier pick. Los Angeles will be the favorite and will even the season series between the teams.
Note that all records and positions in the standings are for games played through Monday, February 26.
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