Posted on
2/22/2008 2:06:15 PM
NBA Betting Free Picks - Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns
By Tim Furious
Boston Celtics (41-11) vs. Phoenix Suns (37-17)
Friday, February 22nd --- US Airways Center, Phoenix --- 10:30pm EST
NBA Betting Line: Phoenix -1 (217.5)
Phoenix failed to keep up with Gasol and the Lakers on Wednesday night, and now get to face a Boston team that has been struggling during their recent Western Conference road trip. The Celtics have lost their last two games, and are 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 games. However, betting against them on the road has proven unwise. They have a 14-5 SU road record over their past 19 away games. But what will tonight bring?
Phoenix outscores Boston on average by ten points. Boston manages 100.5 points per game, while Phoenix averages 110.1. The loss of Marion was huge for this Suns team, but Shaq should he still has some moxie left by chipping 15 points against the Lakers. Big Baby Glen Davis has proved extremely effective at standing up to the big men of the league. His performance against Tim Duncan in Boston’s victory over the Spurs is most notable. He will most likely inherit the unlikely task of slowing down Diesel or Amare Stoudemire in the paint. The kid has what it takes, but he is still young and mistake prone. Either way, he’s a far better option than Scot Pollard or Kendrick Perkins.
The battle at the point is no contest. Rajon Rondo, who is supposedly keeping the seat warm for Sam Cassell, is averaging 10.6 points per game and 4.8 assists. But he is no match for Steve Nash both offensively and defensively. Distributing the ball to better ball-handlers like Pierce and Allen will be key for Boston’s success.
Raja Bell couldn’t contain Kobe at all on Wednesday, but he’ll fair much better against Paul Pierce. The Truth has the size to post him up or bully him out of the way, but he doesn’t have the speed of Kobe. Bell is a great defender (albeit a dirty one) and will look to get under the skin of Pierce. The Truth leads the team with 20.7 points per game,
Phoenix has struggled against the spread lately, going 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games. But they are still 11-5 SU in their last 16 games. I like Boston with a fully healthy KG but I still believe they are one good point guard away from being an unbeatable team. Shaq will be difficult for teams to cover, especially if he’s sharing the floor with Amare. The battle between KG and Amare is one I don’t want to miss.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, I think it’s one that KG is going to win. He is a much more experienced player and a fierce competitor whose fire has been brewing on the sidelines for the last few weeks. Bet on KG to explode against Phoenix and prove just how deadly the Celts can be on the road. Phoenix is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games with the Celtics.
In what could very well be a preview of the championship series, Boston will get the upper hand in this game.
NBA Free Picks: Boston -1 (OVER)
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