NBA Preview: Boston Celtics at New Orleans Hornets

Added on Mar 19, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

Non conference matchup in the NBA on Saturday as the Boston Celtics continue a three game road trip as they play the Hornets in New Orleans. The Celtics are now 1/2 game behind the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference though they’re in a pretty good position relative to the postseason since they’ve laid to waste the Atlantic Division–they’ve already clinched the division title with a 13 game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. The New Orleans Hornets are 7th in the Western Conference standings with a 2.5 game advantage over 8th place Memphis.

Boston Celtics at New Orleans Hornets
March 19, 2011 5:05 PM Pacific

The Hornets are a very erratic team, able to look like a contender on one night and a doormat the next. They’re a good defensive team, however, and that’s also the Celtics’ strong suit. Boston leads the NBA in team defense allowing 91.1 PPG, but New Orleans is #4 allowing 93.0 PPG. Celtics have covered just 2 of their last 8 games while the Hornets have been a decent investment against the spread lately going 5-1-1 in their last 7 games. With the division title already in the bag it could be about time for the Celtics to start looking ahead toward the playoffs–some would say they’ve been doing this all season as head coach Doc Rivers has never made a secret of his greater emphasis on postseason play. On a micro level, Boston could be looking ahead to their next game–Monday night at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.

The Hornets can definitely play with the Celtics–New Orleans won the only previous meeting this year taking a 83-81 decision on New Years’ Eve as a +5 road underdog. Huge scheduling advantage in this game with the home team–the Hornets haven’t played since Wednesday while the Celtics are in the second of back-to-back games. Boston happens to be the worst team in the league from a pointspread standpoint in back to back spots–they’re 3-10 ATS on the season including 2-7 ATS on the road. They’re currently on a 0-5 SU/ATS run in the second of back to back games. With a much more important game against the Knicks on deck, we expect another halfhearted effort from the Celtics here and a relatively easy Hornets win.

Bet New Orleans Hornets PK over Boston Celtics