Posted on
1/4/2008 6:00:02 PM
NBA Basketball Wagering – Underachieving Grizzlies at Boston
By Eric Williams
The Boston Celtics, (27-3 SU, 20-9-1 ATS, 13-16-1 O/U) may have matched the best 30-game start since the introduction of the shot-clock, but the veteran Celtics don’t seem to be impressed with their own accomplishments – or in danger of losing focus with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen knowing full well that regular season records don’t mean much in the postseason.
The Memphis Grizzlies, (9-22 SU, 14-16-1 ATS, 15-16 O/U) unfortunately, won’t catch the C’s napping tonight, as Boston prepares to travel to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
The Celtics are 15-1 at home this season, losing only to the Pistons on Dec.9 and have won seven consecutive games coming into tonight’s matchup, while going 5-2 against the spread (ATS) during the span. The two contests the Celtics failed to cover the spread in were both double-digit point spread, adding a bit of intrigue to tonight’s matchup with the Celtics giving up 14-points to the underachieving Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies have struggled all season, with their former all-star frontcourt player, Pau Gasol looking pedestrian at best on most nights.
Gasol is averaging 17.9 points and 8.1 rebounds - his lowest numbers in three seasons, fueling trade rumors that have Gasol on the next train out of Memphis.
Gasol however, did have his best game of the season in the Grizzlies’ last contest, dropping 30 points and 12 rebounds on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday as Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak with a 90-72 victory.
The Grizzlies are ranked next-to-last in defense, allowing a whopping 104.5 points per game on 47 percent shooting while the Celtics are ranked first in defense, limiting their opponents to a paltry a miniscule 87.0 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Pick:
Key Grizzlies Trends
The Grizzlies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games as a road underdog of 11.0 or greater.
The Grizzlies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games as an underdog of 11.0 or greater.
The Grizzlies are 2-5 ATS in their last seven vs. Eastern Conference.
Key Celtics Trends
The Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last five Friday games.
The Celtics are 6-0 ATS in their last six games playing on one days rest.
The Celtics are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-1 in Grizzlies last five Friday games.
The Over is 8-3 in Grizzlies last eleven games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 4-0 in Celtics last four games following a S.U. win.
The Over is 4-0 in Celtics last four overall.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Grizzlies are 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings in Boston.
The Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Boston.
Analysis: While the 14-point spread concerns me a bit, I think the Celtics should pull off another one of their 20-point victories, which they’ve already done 10 times so far this season to their dazed opponents.
NBA Free Picks: Celtics 108 Grizzlies 89
07:35 PM EST NBA Lines
Memphis Grizzlies +14 -110
Boston Celtics -14 -110
Over 196 -110
Under 196 -110
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