NBA Eastern Conference Showdown – New Jersey Nets at Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics (31-19 SU, 20-20 ATS, 17-22-1 O/U) appear to be back on track after winning two consecutive games in a home-and-home series against the struggling Toronto Raptors.
The New Jersey Nets (19-19 SU, 21-17 ATS, 19-19 O/U) have surprised all season long and have won three of their last four overall.
The Atlantic division rivals will each be gunning for a victory in the BetUS Sportsbook when they meet at TD Banknorth Garden tonight.
The Nets are coming off a thrilling 103-99 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday as rookie center Brook Lopez scored a career-high 31 points and hauled down 13 rebounds.
Veteran shooting guard Vince Carter added 21 points and point guard Devin Harris, 17 points, to help New Jersey win for the third time in four games despite failing to cover the spread as 7.5-point home favorites in the BetUS Sportsbook.
Lopez is averaging 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks in his last seven contests, and shooting 91.3 percent (21-for-23) from the foul line during that span.
The Celtics are also coming off a thrilling overtime win as they beat the Toronto Raptors for the second consecutive game, winning 115-109 at home on Monday as Paul Pierce went off for a season-high 39 points and nine rebounds and Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 12 rebounds.
“Y’all need to start playing some of that “Superman” theme music in the building when he’s going like that,” Celtics star Kevin Garnett said. “I’ll be Batman. I’ll be Robin. “I’ll be anybody you want me to be. I’ll be the garbage man. But this is Clark Kent right here.”
Boston did fail to cover the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook as a 10-point home favorite just as I predicted that day in the BetUS Locker Room.
“There’s players who play the game. There’s players who absolutely love the game,” Rivers said. “Paul’s one of those ‘love’ guys. … He’s tough as nails.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key NBA trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick:
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Boston is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games at home
NBA Odds
New Jersey Nets +10 -110
Boston Celtics -10 -110
Over 187 -110
Under 187 -110
Analysis: While I like the Celtics to win this contest at home and extend their current winning streak to three games, I’m thinking the New Jersey Nets are going to cover the double-digit spread despite being on the road just like the Raptors did in Boston’s last contest.
The fact of the matter is that Boston still has plenty of problems with its offense and bench – and the Nets can put the ball in the hole with any team in the league even if they’re not that big on defense.
I like New Jersey to cover in a closer-than-expected loss.
