Posted on
1/15/2008 6:52:08 PM
Wager On NBA - Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics
By Robby Maddux
Following a two-game sweep of the league-leading Boston Celtics by the Washington Wizards, the Celtics suddenly seem to be beatable after a 22-2 SU (straight up) start to the campaign, covering the spread in 14 games during the span with a push included.
Washington's 88-83 victory on Monday was the Wizards' second win over the Celtics in three days as they fell to 30-6 SU, which is still the NBA's best record. They are 22-13-1 ATS (against the spread) on the year.
It was the Wizards' fifth win in the last six games overall and against Boston. It was the Celtics first consecutive home losses for the first time all season. They are 2-3 over their last five and have averaged 85 points a game over that span.
The Celtics are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a SU loss and 7-2 ATS in their last nine games when playing on one days rest, which may be profitable trends for the NBA betting public planning on getting down on Boston when they host Northwest-leading Portland Trail Blazers (23-14) on Wednesday. The Road team is 11-3 ATS in the last 14 meetings in this series.
Paul Pierce has led the Celtics in scoring just once in the last eight games. However, he still leads the team with 20.9 points per game. Kevin Garnett pours in 19.3 and Ray Allen adds 17.6, as the big three look to contribute in covering the spread for the fifth straight time versus the Trail Blazers.
Portland is coming off a road victory over New Jersey 99-73. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points in the win to lead the Trail Blazers to their 18th win in the last 20 games.
The Trail Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games after allowing less than 75 points in their previous game. However, they are 22-6 ATS in their last 28 games following a SU win.
Offensively, Portland is scoring a decent 97.3 points per game. But it's their league's 6th-ranked defense, allowing just 95.5 points per game, that has them atop its division.
The Trail Blazers are just 6-11 SU and 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games and their rock-solid defense will be tested by a
Boston team that's scoring 98.3 points per game and is 16-3 SU and 11-8 ATS at the TD Banknorth Garden.
Defensively, the Celtics are allowing 87.1 points per game which ranks first in the NBA.
This will be the first meeting of the season between Boston and Portland. Last year, they met twice with the Celtics winning both straight up and against the spread. Boston outscored the Trail Blazers 207-171 during those two games last season.
The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings played between the two in Boston. But the under is 11-5-1 in Celtics last 17 home games. Be sure to checkout our NBA odds and props for this great game.
Analysis: The ''Boston Three Party'' will stop the minor bleeding and will celebrate with a cover victory in front of the home folks. The Celtics hold opponents to a stifling 41.3 field-goal percentage, which is best in the business, and that's bad news for Portland ranks 17th in scoring.
NBA Free Picks: Boston Celtics
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