Posted on
4/9/2008 2:58:14 PM
NBA Betting Odds – Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
By Eric Williams
While the sports betting community favorite Boston Celtics (61-15 SU, 48-26-2 ATS, 33-42-1 O/U), are on full cruise control at the moment, winning seven consecutive games with their reserves getting increased playing time down the stretch, the Washington Wizards, (40-37 SU, 43-34 ATS, 41-36 O/U), are still looking for respect even though they have overachieved all season long despite a string of injuries to many of the team’s best players.
Boston’s latest victim was the Milwaukee Bucks, whom the Celtics beat 105-104 in overtime on Tuesday as the team continued to rest its veteran stars.
While Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen all returned to the lineup after sitting out Saturday's 101-78 victory against the Charlotte Bobcats, none played after the third quarter as the team’s younger players held on for the win down the stretch.
"I just don't want our guys playing big minutes down the stretch," Rivers said.
The well-rested Wizards have won two consecutive games, including a solid 99-87 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
The Wizards have gotten healthier recently and could have all three of their all-star players on the court tonight while trying to become just the second team in the league to win their season series against the Celtics.
"We can really put our foot on the pedal in these last five games and do what we need to do to win all five games," Wizards all-star forward Antawn Jamison said. "We want to be able to feel good about ourselves going down the stretch."
The Wizards, who have already clinched a spot in the postseason, are currently in fifth place in the East, one game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers and two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Celtics have won eight of ten while going 7-3 against the spread over the same span. Washington has won six of its last ten overall while going 5-5 against the spread over the same span.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four Wednesday games.
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. Eastern Conference.
The Wizards are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Wizards are 2-7 ATS in their last nine Wednesday games.
The Under is 4-0 in Celtics last four overall.
The Over is 7-0 in Wizards last seven vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Washington.
Analysis: While the Celtics are undoubtedly headed to an appearance in the eastern conference finals at the very least this season, I don’t think they’re going to win this matchup tonight as the Wizards are taking this game very seriously while Boston just wants to finish out the regular season without getting any of their stars injured. Take the high-scoring Wizards to get the job done as home underdogs against Boston tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Wizards +2½ Points/Over 192 Total Points
07:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Boston Celtics -2½ -110
Washington Wizards +2½ -110
Over 192 -110
Under 192 -110
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