NBA Picks: Indiana Pacers (-2.5) at Detroit Pistons

NBA Picks: Indiana Pacers (-2.5) at Detroit Pistons Yesterday I went out on a limb, featuring a weak computer signal because I thought LeBron James would be a little less sentimental in Miami than he was. Today, to make it up to you guys, we’ll feature a basketball game that the computer likes. With the algorithm as hot as it’s been in recent weeks, I’m confident in this one.

The Pacers are the much better team here, even as injuries pick away at the core that made them so dominant the last couple years. This defense is built form the inside ...

NBA Picks: Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets

NBA Picks: Houston Rockets at Denver NuggetsThe Denver Nuggets seem lost lately while the Houston Rockets have played excellent basketball. The computer shows a little conflict, expecting the Nuggets to win in a coin flip while the Rockets have 3-star value. Still, the way Houston is playing, they seem to be the play.

The Nuggets have been really struggling and the rebuilding effort seems to have slipped away after trading Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks. The Rockets, on the other hand, have been scoring machines. They may lack some depth and will to play defense, but in a high scoring ...

NBA Championship Predictions Game Two: Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs

NBA Finals Picks, Game Two: Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs

We have almost identical analysis for this one, except that Lebron James hopefully won’t be cramping up through the entire game as the Spurs pull away. The problem when one player shifts your opinion of a series is that his absence or an off day will completely destroy a game for you.

The computer agrees. After hitting a confident ML play in Game One the signal is basically the same. I still think Lebron James makes the difference here. If he’s healthy and has his fluids, I think he’ll return ...

NBA Picks: Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets

BA Picks: Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets

Z-Code is all over this one, and I’ll follow along with a money line parlay tonight. I like the Nuggets as well, the Jazz are on the road and Denver is the better team.

The Nuggets have a sharp, clear signal of support from the computer. With five-stars of money line value for the game and a 93% chance to win, this is a good time to invest in the home team. The spread is a little sharp, but this should be a blowout. I’m on the spread with low confidence and the ...

NBA Picks: Golden State Warriors at Portland Trailblazers

I appreciate that the Blazers have a pretty good team this year. They have some superstar scorers, a streaky offense, and they were the hottest team in basketball at the start of the year. Since they’ve come down, though, I think the Warriors are obviously the better team – particularly after the blowout win they earned the last time these two met.

The computer gives a four-star prediction on the over, expecting a high-scoring game. This one is in played in Portland, so the Blazers do have a bit of an edge ...

NBA Picks: New York Knicks at Miami Heat

The computer gives a strong ML signal for Miami, and I agree and find some nice parlay / teaser value in this game. I don’t think the Knicks in their current state can compete with one of the best teams in basketball. It’s a shame, because Carmelo Anthony is playing some of the best basketball of his career.

That said, the computer and I also agree that nine points is a bit sharp. There’s some value on the Knicks to not get blown out. They’re talented, they just keep finding ways to lose ...

NBA Picks: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors

Sorry for the delay today, folks. I was waiting for the line to post but it was held by Vegas, and there’s only three NBA games today. I love the shootout that’s brewing between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors tonight. This should be a fun one if both teams come out firing.

For me, the Warriors are too inconsistent and, when facing elite teams at spreads like this, their volatility has been profitable when betting the other side. The Houston Rockets are the superior team and the spread is likely ...

NBA Picks: New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans

The computer is in a bit of conflict here, and so am I. The Knicks are probably the better team, but they’re also on a back-to-back and tired, on the road, and slumping hard. The Pelicans are a much better team at home, and this is a dangerous game.

I think the spread of four points, now moving to 3.5, might be a bit sharp. I think the Knicks can keep this game close and even win here if they play well. Still, with Carmelo a bit tired from travel and ...

NBA Picks: San Antonio Spurs at LA Clippers

I think it’s often very difficult to bet against San Antonio. They’re anchored in strong defense, veteran leadership, a great point guard / center combo, and have one of the best coaches in the game. That said, I don’t think they can keep up with the Clippers.

The Clippers are healthy, so all they’ve done this season without Chris Paul was essentially the floor for where this team can go. They have two dominant big men, depth, and home court advantage here.

What decides this game for me is that the Spurs ...

NBA Picks: Miami Heat at Golden State Warriors

This is a tricky game, but it’s going to be one of my favorite to watch this year. Two of the more exciting teams in basketball face off. The Heat are tired, banged up, on a road trip out west, and playing mediocre basketball. Still, I think they win.

Whenever I’m given the opportunity to choose between consistency and volatility, I think the odds, especially at underdog lines like this, give a ton of value to the consistent team. Miami is tired, but after watching Lebron James take over the game last ...