1) Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors – Boston Celtics – underdog pick. Toronto has been on a roll for the past 7 games and they have something to prove while the Celtics have nothing to gain from this match up particularly after away after the Boston Marathon bombs. The points differential for home vs away suggests that the Raptors should win plus the ground game is theirs. The Celtics are strong on their FG but away in Toronto, the Raptors level up and for the rest of the air game both offensive and defensive go to the Raptors.
2) Philadelphia 76ers vs Indiana Pacers - Indiana Pacers – favourite pick. Indiana holds a 2-1 season series lead over the 76ers following a 95-85 home victory on Dec. 14, an 88-69 road triumph on Feb. 6 and a 98-91 defeat at Philadelphia on March 16. The 76ers are 10-30 on the road and average a league-worst 93.0 points per game. The Indiana Pacers have clinched the third seed and would like 50 winning games. Indiana committed a season-worst 26 turnovers in a 90-80 loss at New York on Sunday, which coach Frank Vogel attributed to general fatigue. “Got a couple of guys banged up and a couple of guys with dead legs,” Vogel told reporters following the loss. I cannot see the Pacers doing much to win this one..rest and be competitive at most. The 76ers may want to go out in a little style 76ers
3) Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat – Miami Heat -favourite pick. The Heat will rest its stars and give the supporting cast a chance to show their stuff.. again. The data, points and differentials point to Miami taking this game offense and defence is the Heats for the air and ground game though the Magic have improved their ground game. Heat 0.25
4) Washington Wizard vs Chicago Bulls – Washington Wizard longshot pick. I think the Bulls have more to play for given there position hopes are tied to a win. The good thing is that the Bulls have the points, the ground and largely the air game in their favour. Washington recently has been strong in FG’s but I do not think i will be enough. Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah returned to the lineup on Monday for the Bulls. Chicago will finish either fifth or sixth and will finish the season against Washington. “We need a lot of energy late, and I told them I was going to play today,” Gibson said after the game. ”They had me on limited minutes, they had Jo on limited minutes, but we just wanted to be out there and really push the guys and know that we got to sharpen up. We got to get ready for the playoffs.” Bulls 0.25
5) Milwaukee Bucks vs Oklahoma City Thunder – Oklahoma City Thunder – favourite pick. Looks like Durant and the centre Perkins will be out. There is little to play for today for the Thunder and the Bucks; the Bucks are in the finals and have nothing to gain by pushing. The data will be misleading as it comprises everyone from the Thunder playing. The datas says this is all the Thunder points, differentials and stats leading to dominance in the air and ground game.
6) Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks underdog pick. Listen you can do the analysis but with all the key players out for the Knicks and some of the key players out for the Hawks this could go either way .. the data says Knicks. New York has clinched the second seed in the East and has sent its stars to the bench. Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Ray Felton and Kenyon Martin all wore suits on Monday against the Bobcats. Anthony could see some minutes on Wednesday against the Hawks, according to the New York Post. I cannot see Anthony playing as he has the scoring championship. They lost to the Bobcats they will lose to the Hawks probably
7) Detroit Pistons vs Brooklyn Nets – Brooklyn Nets – favourite pick. The data all says that the Nets should win this but they do not care if they win and this is just exercise for them. I would lean towards to the Pistons.
8) Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Bobcats – Charlotte Bobcats – favourite pick. The motivation is behind the Bobcats not have a worst season again and the last set of games say they want to win.
9) New Orleans Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks – Dallas Mavericks -favourite pick. The host Mavericks have a little more to play for in the season finale for both teams. Dallas can still extend its streak of non-losing seasons to 13 with a victory. Coach Monty Williams told nola.com that he is using the back-to-back games with Dallas as an opponent to experiment with some unusual rotational combinations.” That includes a three-guard lineup with Eric Gordon at the three and forward Ryan Anderson at the five. The Hornets, who lost starting power forward and No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis for the season on April 10 with a sprained medial collateral ligament and bone bruise in his left knee, have dropped four in a row and six of their last seven. The data and points say Mavericks game Mavs have it
10) San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves – San Antonio Spurs – favourite pick. The Spurs will finish second in the Western Conference. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard did not play Tuesday against Golden State. But Manu Ginobili could return to the lineup against Minnesota on Wednesdayaccording to the San Antonio Express-News. No one will be there and the second string has not helped much. Coach Gregg Popovich said Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard will likely return after missing the 116-106 loss to Golden State on Monday with injuries. Minnesota has only 10 victories away from home, and is missing the postseason for the ninth straight season. Timberwolves’ scoring threat Nikola Pekovic has missed the last three games with a left calf contusion and is doubtful. Spurs
11) Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies - Memphis Grizzlies – favourite pick. Utah Jazz are in a must-win situation to land the eighth and final playoff spot. Memphis is still in the mix for home court in the opening round of the playoffs. They will want to knock off the Jazz for the third time in four meetings. Memphis will use reserves again and they will see a lot of playing time. Memphis coach - “I thought in the first half, our guys didn’t come out and compete,” Hollins said. “They were treating it like an exhibition game.” Utah Jazz for motivation and last run of wins Jazz
12) Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets – Denver Nuggets – favourite pick. The challenge who is going to be motivated to win. I would suggest that the Nuggets will want to preserve their awesome home record. The stats, points and analysis all say the Nuggets. The Suns 3pts shooting and defending is impressie but should not shut down the Nuggets. Nuggets
13) Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers - Los Angeles Lakers – favourite pick. The Lakers will make the playoffs if they beat Houston in the final game of the season. Kobe Bryant is out with a torn ACL and Steve Nash will also miss the game with the Rockets as MRIs confirmed he has nerve irritation from old injuries that are contributing to his hamstring pain the team announced Tuesday. The Rockets suffered a dreadful 119-112 loss to lowly Phoenix on Monday and that defeat has put them in danger of slipping into the No. 8 spot with the loss to the Lakers. No data – Lakers or Rockets
14) LA Clippers vs Sacramento Kings - Sacramento Kings – underdog pick. Los Angeles can overtake Denver for third place in the West with a victory over Sacramento and a Nuggets home loss to Phoenix. I thnk the Clippers will want the chance to beat the Nuggets to 3rd place but I am not sure if it will be likely. The Clippers have the horse power to do it but whether they will really want to mix it all up with he Kings remains to be seen. The data suggests a closer game than you might imagine but I think the Kings have poor motivation. Clippers
15) Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers – Portland Trail Blazers – longshot pick. The Warriors wil want this one as to finish 6th and gain a good playoff space. Plus Stephen Curry will take aim at the single-season record for made 3-pointers. Portland’s - Aldridge and Matthews are still listed as day-to-day, but Batum will not be available for the season finale. The Trail Blazers are in with a shot but the last 10 straight losses and injuries mean that it is unlikely they will come out ahead given most of the strength comes from historical data. Warriors
