Garnett Makes Return to Minnesota as T-Wolves Host Incendiary Celtics
The Boston Celtics, (11-2, 6-7 ATS, 5-8 O/U) proved they were the ‘Beasts of the East’ again, laying an emphatic smackdown on the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night. The Minnesota Timberwolves, (2-8, 5-5 ATS, 4-6 O/U) snapped their eight-game losing streak with a big win on Wednesday night, covering the spread in the process for BetUS NBA sports betting backers.
Tonight, both teams will be looking to extend their winning ways when they meet tonight at the Target Center.
The Celtics schooled the Pistons on Thursday, beating them 98-80 to easily cover the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook as a 6.5-point home favorite.
Point guard Rajon Rondo scored a team-high 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field while four other players reached double digits in scoring.
Boston’s suffocating defense, limited Detroit’s leading scorer, Allen Iverson, to 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting, allowing only four players to reach double figures in the process.
Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Garnett, the former face of the Timberwolves franchise, will get to play his first road game against his former team after missing last season’s February road game in Minnesota with an injury.
Minnesota got back in the win column after nine straight losses by beating the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 102-96 on Wednesday to cover the spread as a 3.5-point home underdog for NBA sports betting backers.
“I told the team that the ice is off the lake,” coach Randy Wittman said. “It’s not going to freeze anymore. We broke the ice tonight and that’s got to help them.”
Forward Al Jefferson scored 25 points on 12-for-21 shooting from the field while Craig Smith added 21 points, making 7 of 10 free throws.
“They were desperate,” 76ers sixth man Willie Green said. “They had a sense of urgency all game long. They wanted it more than us. It was obvious.”
Minnesota allowed just one Philadelphia players to reach 20 points on the night, veteran point guard Andre Miller who scored 20 exactly on 8-for-13 shooting.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks:
The Celtics are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
The Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games.
The Timberwolves are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Timberwolves are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
The Over is 13-6 in Timberwolves last 19 vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Over is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
The Celtics are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Minnesota.
NBA Odds
Boston Celtics -6 -110
Minnesota Timberwolves +6 -110
Over 186 -110
Under 186 -110
Analysis: After watching Thursday night’s thrashing of the Detroit Pistons, I’m thinking the T-Wolves may be in for some real trouble tonight against a Celtics team that appears to be on cruise control as they mow down victories like they are going out of style.
Take the Celtics to cover the spread and the Under NBA bettors.
