posted March 28, 2008 at 16:06 in NBA Free Picks
NBA Possible Finals Preview Betting New Orleans Hornets at Boston Celtics
While many basketball analysts and handicappers like myself predicted immediate success for the Boston Celtics, (56-15 SU, 43-26-2 ATS, 32-38-1 O/U), this season after the acquired perennial all-stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to go along wither resident fellow all-star Paul Pierce, not many people foresaw the highly successful season that the New Orleans Hornets, (49-21 SU, 44-25-1 ATS, 34-34-2 O/U), have unfurled on unsuspecting opponents all season long.
Boston improved on their league-leading best record in their last contest, beating the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday at home, 117-97 to cover a seven-point spread that I correctly predicted in the BetUS.com Locker Room, as Garnett and Pierce put up 30 and 27 points respectively.
The Celtics are a solid 7-3 in their last ten games in the BetUS.com Sportsbook but will face an incendiary Hornets team that has won eight of their last ten contests and five straight coming into tonight’s showdown between two teams that could genuinely end up facing each other in the NBA Finals.
The Hornets are coming off a thrilling 100-99 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday as MVP candidate Chris Paul penetrated the lane in the closing seconds and dished to fellow all-star David West who drained a game-winning jumper to win the game.
The Hornets are an impressive 8-2 against the spread in their last ten while the Celtics have gone a very solid 7-3 against the spread over the same span.
Here’s a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last four when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a ATS win.
The Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Celtics are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a SU win of more than ten points.
The Over is 5-0 in Hornets last five road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Under is 4-0 in Celtics last four after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 8-1 in the last nine meetings in Boston.
The Favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Analysis: While I like the Celtics to win this game, I fully believe that the Hornets are going to make this a down-to-the-wire contest that they actually have a chance of winning outright. Take the Hornets to cover while losing in another thriller. I also think the Over/Under Total is a bit too high and may be the best wager there is for this matchup.
NBA Free Picks: New Orleans Under 196½/Total Points +6½ Points
07:35 PM EST NBA Odds
New Orleans Hornets +6½ -110
Boston Celtics -6½ -110
Over 196½ -110
Under 196½ -110
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