NBA Picks January 2: Suns at Knicks Headline Action

The 2023 calendar year is upon us and the NBA is in full swing. Teams are battling for a playoff run in the upcoming second half and each game can be important. With several games set to tip-off, the Knicks hosting the Suns highlights play.

Phoenix Suns versus New York Knicks

The Suns have lost four of their last five, while the Knicks have dropped their last four. Consequently, they are both “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Suns have a +20 to +15 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. Both teams have been involved in games “over” the line over their last six, and the Score Predictor has the Suns by a 119-113 score with 53 percent confidence. Phoenix is +11 to +7 on the Team Volatility Oscillator, as both teams have been quite stable. The Suns won by 21 in their first meeting this season. I don’t see that kind of margin in this one, but go with the Suns and “over” the line.

Toronto Raptors versus Indiana Pacers

The Pacers come into play “burning hot” having won three of their last four, while the Raptors are “average up”, coming off a loss. Indiana has a +14 to +10 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been trending on opposite sides of the “over/under” line, and the Score Predictor has the Pacers by a 127-111 margin with 60 percent confidence. Both teams have shown moderate stability on the Team Volatility Oscillator. Indiana won the first meeting between the teams at home and I see a similar outcome this time, but pass on the “over/under” bet.

Miami Heat versus Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers host the Heat in this inter-conference contest. Both teams are “burning hot” and 4-2 over their last six games. Los Angeles has a +20 to +11 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. Miami has been trending in games “under” the line, while Los Angeles has been trending in games “over” the line. The Score Predictor likes the Clippers by a score of 114-109 but with only 48 percent confidence. These two teams are among the most stable in the NBA, according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Miami won by five as a home favorite on December 22. I see the Clippers evening the score in this one by a similar margin but avoid the over/under bet.

Denver Nuggets versus Minnesota Timberwolves

Denver enters the game “burning hot down” after going 5-1 over their last six games, while Minnesota is “ice cold down”, losers of their last four. Denver has a +27 to +8 advantage on the Power Ranks Indicator. Looking at the over/under, the teams have been trending on opposite sides of the line, therefore I would avoid that bet. The Score Predictor has the Timberwolves by a 115-113 score with 87 percent confidence. Both teams have been performing consistently with their favorite/underdog status. This will be the first meeting between the teams this season. I like Minnesota at home, perhaps needing overtime to edge the Nuggets.

Upgrade now and follow the winners!