Minnesota vs Boston NBA Picks
Minnesota started off really strongly but has been slumping over the last three weeks. As a result they have dropped to 4th in the Northwest Division standings. [ad-4468020]
Minnesota Timberwolves (12-12) vs. Boston Celtics (11-14)
Monday December 16
TD Garden – Boston, MA
7:30
Moneyline: No ML currently posted
Spread: Minnesota -4
O/U: 200
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ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview
Minnesota
There have been some wins where they dominated and some losses where they didn’t look all that great as this club struggles for consistency.
They won last night on the road at Memphis and carry that momentum into Boston tonight.
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A lot of their struggles are because this Minnesota team doesn’t have much depth. Sure they have a couple of 20+ppg scorers in Kevin Love and Kevin Martin but their most established bench player is Jose Barea, who has been in a shooting slump most the season but still doesn’t hesitate to hoist them up when he is in there.
They get especially little inside when Love and C Nikola Pekovic are not in the game and neither is a defensive presence.
Minnesota has a 13-11 ATS mark so they aren’t killing you. The problem is trying to figure out when the play them because in the last week they have covered on the road at one of the best teams (San Antonio) and failed to do so at home against one of the worst (Philadelphia).
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That kind of inconsistency is what drives backers nuts.
Boston
The Celtics find themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division with a pathetic losing record. If you look closely you can see that the Celtics have played more games than second place Toronto, who is playing better since the trade of Rudy Gay, so their positioning is tenuous.
Boston halted a two game losing streak last time out by beating the New York Knicks and with so many division game they may be able to hold their spot if they can keep up those kinds of efforts.
Even though it is not a high level of success the Celtics have been pretty good considering they have not had the services of point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo was never a go to scorer which is something the Celtics don’t have or have yet to reveal.
What they do have is 5 players averaging between 11ppg and 17ppg, led by SF Jeff Green. Inside players Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger should probably get more touches because they are the most efficient scorers Boston has right now.
Boston has surprised some folks but when you look at their ATS record they have been much better on the road than at home, not sure exactly why.
I think they can definitely hang with Minnesota who has really cooled of late and will be playing the second game of a back to back.
If Boston can get out early I smell an upset with an obvious cover.
Spread Pick: Boston +4
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Boston 102 – Minnesota 100
