NBA Picks December 12: Celtics at Clippers Headline Action

The NBA schedule has surpassed the quarter mark and teams are looking to head into the end of the calendar year on a high note. There are several key games for December 12 with the Clippers hosting the Celtics in the featured game.

Boston Celtics versus Los Angeles Clippers

The Celtics come in as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Clippers are 9th in the Western Conference. Boston enters “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +29 on the Power Ranks Indicator, while the Clippers are “ice cold down” and +19, respectively. The teams have combined in games “over” the line in eight of their last 12. The Score Predictor has Boston by a 115-111 score with 70 percent confidence. Both teams have been consistently performing with regard to their favorite/underdog status. I like Boston by five to ten points in a game “over” the line.

Miami Heat versus Indiana Pacers

Both teams are battling in the middle of the playoff pack in the Eastern Conference.  The Heat are “average” and +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator, while the Pacers are “ice cold down” and +18, respectively.  The teams have been trending evenly between games over and under the line, so best to pass on that bet. The Pacers won the first meeting between the teams this season and the Score Predictor likes them by a 111-107 margin with 34 percent confidence. Be aware that both teams have been stable, as seen on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Go with the Pacers at home to win by five points or less.

Cleveland Cavaliers versus San Antonio Spurs

Cleveland comes in third in the Eastern Conference and San Antonio is second from the bottom in the Western Conference. Cleveland is “average up” versus “dead up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +22 to 0 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been involved in games “under” the line in 10 of the last 12 games. The Score Predictor has the Spurs by a 112-104 margin with 67 percent confidence. Both teams have been consistently performing with regard to their favorite/underdog status. Cleveland won both games between the teams last season and will win this one in a game “under” the line.

Minnesota Timberwolves versus Portland Trailblazers

Two Western Conference teams hovering around .500 tip-off in this one. The Timberwolves are “ice cold up” and +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator, while the Trailblazers are “ice cold down” and +21, respectively. Both teams have been involved in games “over” the line in four of their last six. The Score Predictor sees a tight 122-119 game in favor of Portland with 29 percent confidence. Be aware of the fact the Portland is -2 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. I like Minnesota in a road upset, perhaps in overtime in a game “over” the line.

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