Streaking Celtics Host ‘New-Look’ Raptors
The Boston Celtics (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS, 2-4 O/U) must have taken their emphatic 95-79 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 1 personally! Since dropping that contest, the defending champs have won four consecutive games in the BetUS Sportsbook, routing their last three opponents in the process.
The Toronto Raptors (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS, 3-2 O/U) have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the young 2008-09 NBA season and are coming off a convincing win their last time out as well.
Both teams will be looking to keep their winning ways going for fans and NBA sports betting enthusiasts when they meet tonight at Boston’s TDBanknorth Garden tonight.
The Celtics have played spectacular defense in each of their last four contests and almost literally, spanked the ‘new-look’ Detroit Pistons in their 88-76 road win on Sunday.
The C’s held the Pistons to just 34.7 percent shooting from the field and are allowing opponents to shoot a jaw-dropping low of 37.5 percent from the field this season. The Celtics outscored Detroit 30-10 in the second quarter on Sunday to effectively put the game away before halftime.
“(The defense was) the best of the year, by far,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
Led by reserve swingman Tony Allen’s 23 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field, Boston kept the Pistons in check throughout.
The Celtics have seen the scoring of each of their members of their vaunted ‘Big Three’ go down this season, while their reserve players’ respective contributions have increased. Led by the ‘other’ Allen’s 11.3 points per game off the bench, six Celtics backup players are averaging at least 9.0points per game this season.
“Our bench has been phenomenal,” Rivers said. “We’ve started out slow in three or four games, but the energy of the bench has been tremendous. There isn’t one guy that carries them.”
Toronto snapped a modest two-game losing streak in the BetUS Sportsbook on Sunday, beating the rebuilding Charlotte Bobcats 89-79 as team leader Chris Bosh scored 30 points while draining 12 of 19 shots from the field and 6 of 7 free throws.
The three-time All-Star has taken his individual game to new heights and is ranked third in the league in scoring, averaging 26.7 points while leading the team in scoring in five of Toronto’s first six games.
Bosh scored 14 in the fourth quarter to effectively put away a game Bobcats teams, while also grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds.
“My teammates do a great job of finding the open guy,” Bosh said. “That’s what we’re taught to do, and that’s where we make our bread and butter. If we see a guy open, we have to get it to him.”
Point guard Jose Calderon, now with the starting job his alone after the team traded former starter T.J. Ford in the trade that brought them former all-star Jermaine O’Neal, is averaging an Eastern Conference-leading 9.3 assists per game.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.
The Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Raptors are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games.
The Celtics are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Celtics are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Under is 8-1 in Raptors last 9 games playing on 0 days rest.
The Under is 6-1 in Celtics last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.
The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
The Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
The Raptors are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
NBA Odds
Toronto Raptors +8 -110
Boston Celtics -8 -110
Over 183 -110
Under 183 -110
Analysis: The oddsmakers really did their job with this line, making this one tough call. While the Celtics will get another victory tonight, I see the Raptors bringing their collective ‘A’ game while covering the spread in a contest that will be much closer than expected.
I say, take the Under and the Raptors to double up on your NBA winnings BetUS Sportsbook bettors.
