NBA Picks January 29: Nuggets host Bucks in featured game

The midway point of the 2023-24 NBA season is nearly upon us and teams are looking to make a splash before the all-star break. There is a full slate of games for Monday, January 29. Two top contenders for the title the Nuggets and Bucks headline the action.

Milwaukee Bucks versus Denver Nuggets

In the game of the day, the Nuggets sit at 3rd in the Western Conference and host the Bucks, sitting at 2nd in the Eastern Conference. Denver is 17-4 at home and Milwaukee is a solid 11-9 on the road. The teams are trending in games on opposite sides of the line with a score prediction of 120-117 in favor of Denver but with only 52 percent confidence. The teams split the meetings last year, both winning at home. Milwaukee has a +26 to +24 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator. Both teams are playing consistently regarding their favorite/underdog status. I like Denver at home by less than five points in a game “over” the line.

Los Angels Clippers versus Cleveland Cavaliers

The Clippers are 4th in the Western Conference and are 5-1 over their last six games, while the Cavaliers are 5th in the Eastern Conference and also 5-1 during the same stretch. Los Angeles is “burning hot” versus “burning hot down” and +25 to +22 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The teams have been trending in games “over” the line and the score prediction is 118-111 in favor of Cleveland with 75 percent confidence. Cleveland is 15-8 at home and Los Angeles has struggled to 9-10 on the road. The Clippers are one of the most consistent teams in the league regarding their favorite/underdog status. Put it all together and I like Cleveland at home in a game “over” the line.

Sacramento Kings versus Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis is third from the bottom in the Western Conference but is 6-4 over their last ten and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Sacramento comes in 7th in the conference but only 2-4 over the last six games. The teams have been trending in games on opposite sides of the “over/under” line and the score prediction is 116-109 in favor of the Kings. Sacramento blew out Memphis by 32 points in the first meeting between the teams this season. For some peculiar reason, the Grizzlies can’t win at home, posting a dreadful 4-15 mark. I see that trend continuing in this one. Go with the Kings but pass on the over/under bet.

Los Angeles Lakers versus Houston Rockets

The Lakers are 4-2 over their last six and sit 9th in the Western Conference with a .500 record. Houston is 11th in the conference at 20-23 and just 1-5 over their last six. Los Angeles is +15 to +9 on the Power Ranks Indicator and “average up” versus “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The Lakers lead the season series 2-1, winning both at home. Expect a high-scoring game with both teams trending in games “over” the line. Take note that both teams are showing great stability. Houston is 16-8 at home and Los Angeles is a dreadful 6-15 on the road. That is the key to this pick. Go with the Rockets, perhaps needing overtime to do so, in a game “over” the line.

Minnesota Timberwolves versus Oklahoma City Thunder

The top two teams in the Western Conference battle in this one. Both teams are 4-2 over their last six and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Oklahoma City has a slim +28 to +27 edge on the Power Ranks Indicator and has won two of the three previous meetings between the teams this season. The teams are trending in games generally “under” the line but the score prediction of 120-114 in favor of the Thunder is rather high. The teams have nearly identical records home and away and are separated in the standings by a mere half-game. The game is really a coin toss, but I will favor the Thunder for being the home team and most success this season in the head-to-head matchup.

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