Posted on
2/27/2008 5:53:52 PM
NBA Basketball Betting - Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
By Eric Williams
The Boston Celtics, (43-12 SU, 33-20-2 ATS, 26-28-1 O/U) may have had a rough start to their five-game western conference road trip last week, but they ended it in solid fashion, winning their final two games after dropping three straight for the first time this season.
Now, the NBA-leading C’s are back at home for five consecutive games, beginning with tonight’s meeting with the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers, (32-24 SU, 26-30 ATS, 28-26-2 O/U), after walloping the mediocre Los Angeles Clippers 104-76 on Tuesday
"We started out with three tough games against three quality opponents and we faced some adversity, but we didn't waver from what we've been wanting to do and what our goals were," said Celtics all-star shooting guard Ray Allen said. "The last game of a road trip is always the toughest game because you have a tendency of wanting to be back home."
The Celtics may be at home, but they will be facing a Cleveland Cavaliers team that has performed one of the biggest transformations this season, by adding veterans Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and former Celtics, Wally Sczerbiak and Delonte West.
Though the Cavaliers lost to the
Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 on a game-winning buzzer-beater by shooting guard Michael Redd last night after winning three consecutive games, the Cavaliers figure to be a tough out in the eastern conference this season once all of their new players get acclimated with head coach Mike Brown’s defensive-oriented system.
"There's nothing you can do about that," said star swingman LeBron James, who scored 35 points. "The guy made a 35-footer fading away. You know, we made plays, gave ourselves a chance to win, but a big shot cost us. I said we were going to need a few weeks to get everything in motion."
The Cavaliers are just 4-6 against the spread in its last six while Boston has gone 5-4-1 against the spread over the same span but has covered in two straight.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Cavaliers are 8-2 ATS in their last ten road games.
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. NBA Central.
The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Over is 6-1-1 in Cavaliers last eight vs. Eastern Conference.
The Over is 4-0 in Celtics last four home games following a road trip of seven or more days.
The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Boston.
Analysis: While I know it’s going to take some time for the Cavaliers to gel as a team with all the new players they recently added – and the Celtics are back in the comforts of home – I like this year’s likely MVP, James, to keep this game close in a losing effort. Take the Cavaliers to cover and the Over NBA bettors.
NBA Free Picks: Cleveland +7 Points/Over 193½ Total Points
07:35 PM EST Basketball Point Spreads
Cleveland Cavaliers +7 -110
Boston Celtics -7 -110
Over 193½ -110
Under 193½ -110
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