Top Sportsbooks
CELTICS AT KNICKS
2/6/09
By 5dimes.com
The NBA is heading for their All-Star bash and things have been looking good for the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Sure they lost 110-109 in OT to Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers last night, failing to cover as 6.5-point home faves, but despite the tough loss in that highly entertaining matchup, things are pretty rosy in Beantown.
The Celtics have only lost 10 Games all year (41-10) and sport a profitable 28-23 ATS mark.
They have a date with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden tonight.
Boston has played well this year when taking the cOurt in the second Game of back-to-back nights, putting together a 13-4 straight up mark. However, covering the number hasnt proven as easy, as they are only 9-8 ATS.
In tonights Game, 5dimes.com has the Celts listed as a 5.5-point road favorite.
However, there does appear to be some real value in taking a closer look at an Under play for this matchup. In the last 17 Games where Boston has played the night before, they have posted a record of 3 overs and 14 unders, including six Unders in their last seven in this situation.
The Total has been set at 208.
The New York Knicks have been amongst the worst teams in the NBA the last few years but there seems to be a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
The Knicks are two victories away from matching their win total from last season and it isnt even the All-Star break yetNew York is 21-27 overall and a sturdy 28-20 ATS.
Boston has had a fairly easy time of it the last 20 trips to MSG, going 13-7 SU and more importantly to bettors, 15-5 ATS.
5dimes.com is reporting early action is all over Boston, with the favorite grabbing 75% of the betting publics money so far.
It doesnt get an easier for the Celtics as they return home after the Game against New York, rest for a day and then play a Sunday afternoon tilt against the San Antonio Spurs.
While the Spurs have one of the best records in the Western Conference at 33-15, they are a meager 23-23-2 ATS.
The Game against the Celtics will be the Spurs first in an Atlantic division swing and while San Antonio is 14-6 SU in the last 20 against the likes of Boston, New Jersey, New York and Toronto, they are a paltry 6-13-1 ATS.
However, Boston has been very hospitable when San Antonio visits the Garden, going 2-12 SU and 4-10 ATS in the last 14 home Games against the Spurs.
As for the team that played the Celtics in the NBA final and beat them in OT last night, the Los Angeles Lakers have a tilt in Cleveland against the Cavaliers with tip-off coming about two hOurs after the start of the Spurs-Celtics Game.
After a Game against the Toronto Raptors earlier in the week, Kobe was quoted in the National Post as saying he didnt give a rats ass that LeBron James had surpassed him as the youngest player to Score 12,000 points by a year.
That quote might be used in the pre-Game hype to this potential 2009 NBA final matchup.
The Lakers have been a profitable road team lately going 10-1 SU and 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 Games away from the STAPLES Center and theyve also been very reliable on the Over going above the Total in the last eight-straight.
The Cavs are an amazing 23-0 SU and 18-5 ATS at home and have gone 9-6 SU and 9-5 ATS (a Game in 1997 didnt have odds released) the last 15 times theyve hosted the LAke Show; they went Under six out of the last seven home Games vs. the Lakers.
Some interesting Games featuring the NBAs marquee teams from Friday to Sunday so enjoy the Games and your weekend.
Be sure to check out the Mardi Gras Party at 5dimes.com today and through the weekend. They have a special Pro Bowl bonus, plus Saturday they have NCAA hoops giveaways, and much more.
BASKETBALL FREE PICKS START SOON!!!
Fill out your e-mail address
to receive Our Free Picks Newsletters! Email address: Select your interests Free Football Picks: Free Baseball Picks: Free Basketball Picks: Free Hockey Picks: Sportsbook Promotions: