Posted on
2/8/2008 5:20:46 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Boston at Minnesota
By Charles Jay
WHO: Boston Celtics (37-9 SU, 29-16-1 ATS) at Minnesota Timberwolves (10-37 SU, 22-24-1 ATS)
WHERE: Target Center in Minneapolis
WHEN: Friday, February 8 at 8 PM ET
BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: BOSTON -6.5, Total 189
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:
* BOS has covered 10 of the last 14 meetings
* BOS has won eight of the last 12 meetings SU
* Six of the last seven meetings have gone OVER the total
* BOS has won five of the last seven meetings SU as the visitor
* BOS has covered six of the last seven meetings as the visitor
* Four of the last five meetings in Minneapolis have gone OVER the total
The Celtics are the best defensive team in the NBA, at least by way of statistics. Boston allows just 89 points per game and 42.1% shooting. Both figures are #1 in the circuit. Also:
* BOS has covered its last four games
* BOS has played seven of its last ten games OVER the total
* BOS has won 17 of its last 23 games SU
* BOS has covered seven of its last nine road games
* BOS has won 12 of its last 15 road games SU
Minnesota has been outscored by an opponents to the tune of 7.3 points a game on average, although that has improved lately. The T-Wolves have rebounded relatively well, with 12.3 offensive caroms a game. Also:
* MINN is 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine games
* MINN has played five of its last six games UNDER the total
* MINN is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven home games
* MINN has won four of its last five home games SU
* MIN has played four of its last six home games UNDER the total
Interesting dynamic for sure in this one, and it played itself out just a couple of weeks ago when Minnesota lost a one-point decision to the Celts in Boston. Kevin Garnett played his heart out in that, despite injuring his abdomen, an ailment that has him sitting this one out. The Celtics have covered four straight games in his absence, even though they are down to a "Big Two."
As we know, Minnesota has a lot of players who were with Boston last year or at one time in the past, including Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Antoine Walker and Sebastian Telfair. Think there's some incentive there? And is there any better time for them to be doing this, as they've covered seven of their last nine games and can no longer be called the worst team in the league (that honor going to the Shaq-less Heat right now)?
You have admire the resolve of this team, which has won five of its last eight games, and the frontcourt dominance of Al Jefferson, who has posted averages of 27 points and nearly 14 rebounds during that revival. And Garnett won't get in the way with any emotional return to his old stomping ground. We'll take points with the T-Wolves, the 6.5-point underdog in the BetUS NBA betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: MINNESOTA
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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)