NBA Betting Odds: Boston Celtics at New Jersey Nets

Added on Mar 13, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

Monday NBA action features an Eastern Conference matchup between the top ranked Boston Celtics and the improving New Jersey Nets. Boston currently holds a 1/2 game lead over the Chicago Bulls atop the East, while the Nets are 6 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot currently in 12th place.

Boston Celtics at New Jersey Nets
March 14, 2011 4:05 PM Pacific

Could be a flat spot for the Celtics who played on Sunday turning in a monstrous defensive effort against the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston held Milwaukee to 22 first half points en route to a 87-56 victory at the TD BankNorth Garden. This was a franchise record for the Boston Celtics as they allowed the fewest points by an opponent since the NBA started using the shot clock. Boston will be in a number of poor performing pointspread categories here– they’re only 22-30 ATS as a favorite this season, 4-7 ATS against divisional rivals, 14-19 ATS against opponents with losing records and currently on a 3-7 ATS run against teams under .500. Boston cashed tickets on Sunday to end a 4 game ATS losing streak but are just 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games.

The Nets have added Deron Williams and are currently on a 4 game SU winning streak going 3-1 ATS. Williams has been hampered somewhat by injury (he’s listed as ‘probable’ for Monday’s game) but gives the Nets the first legitimate All Star level talent they’ve had in years. New Jersey has covered 5 of their last 7 games and has a winning pointspread record against Boston in recent years–they’re 6-5 ATS against the Celtics since 2008 and 3-2 at home. Considering how bad the Nets have been and how good the Celtics have been that’s significant. New Jersey is a 6-2 pointspread play as a home underdog in this price range (3′ to 6 points) and are 18-13 ATS at home overall. They’ve been at their best against winning teams going 20-10 ATS for the season and are currently on a 5-2 ATS run against opponents over .500.

Celtics are notorious for playing ‘down’ to the level of their opposition and have made a habit of ‘phoning in’ a performance after an exceptional game. There’s no way they can maintain the defensive intensity they had at home against Milwaukee on Sunday here, and we look for New Jersey to be in this contest throughout.

Bet New Jersey Nets +5 over Boston Celtics