Posted on
1/21/2008 4:44:01 PM
NBA Wagering – Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
By Eric Williams
What in the names of Clyde Frazier and Willis Reed is going on in New York?
The Knicks, arguably the league’s worst team, has turned things around recently, winning five of their last six contests coming into tonight’s matchup with the NBA’s best team so far – the Boston Celtics.
After absolutely stunning the Detroit Pistons 89-65 at home on Jan. 13, the Knicks, (13-27 SU, 18-22 ATS 23-17 O/U) have split games with the Washington Wizards while also adding victories over the New Jersey Nets and pathetic Miami Heat in their last contest, winning 88-84 on Saturday.
New York should have revenge on its mind after suffering their worst defeat of the season – and one of the worst in franchise history – to the Boston Celtics, (32-6 SU, 24-13-1 ATS, 16-21-1 O/U) back on Nov. 29, losing 104-59.
The Celtics have won consecutive games, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 100-90 and Philadelphia 76ers 116-89 in their last two contests after suffering their first losing streak of the season in losing back-to-back games to the Wizards on Jan 12 and 14.
Boston has seen a rejuvenated Ray Allen bounce back nicely from a pinched nerve that hobbled him for nearly two weeks. Allen scored 10 of his 23 points against the Sixers in the fourth quarter just two days after dropping a season-high 35 points on Portland.
Boston hopes to get back starting point guard Rajon Rondo, who has missed two straight games and three of the last four with nagging injuries.
Here’s a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting FreePicks:
Key Celtics Trends
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
The Celtics are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
The Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last nine Monday games.
Key Knicks Trends
The Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.
The Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 11-2 in Celtics last 13 Monday games.
The Under is 5-1 in Celtics last six vs. Eastern Conference.
The Over is 11-1 in Knicks last 12 games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 4-1 in Knicks last five games as a home underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in New York.
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Road team is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.
Analysis: I know the Knicks are playing some pretty decent basketball at the moment, but let’s not get carried away NBA bettors. The Celtics will win this game and they will win it handily because of their defense – something the Knicks know absolutely nothing about.
NBA Free Picks: Boston 95 New York 85
01:05 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Boston Celtics -9 -110
New York Knicks +9 -110
Over 186 -110
Under 186 -110
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