Celtics + 2.5
The C’s play host to one of the top teams in the league right now in the Thunder and will be welcoming back a former Celtic in Perkins. Now why they made that trade is beyond me. I understand why they did it, but that trade has to go down as one of the bad ones that Ainge has done. I understand they needed to get younger on the perimeter, but to let a physical player like Perk go was definitely a sign of the times as to which teams the C’s were going to have to deal with in order to win another ring. Now there play so far this season has been pretty much what their records says. They haven’ beaten anyone with a winning record and 2 of their wins have came against one team. With a shorten season I thought teams that have been together for awhile and had the same coaching staff that there wouldn’t be much of a problem ,but with Paul getting hurt to start the season and not having much practice time the team has suffered with any type of chemistry. I know it’s still early and they are a veteran team, but they are also an older team and with this schedule being the way it is could it be safe to say that they’ll be starting the playoffs on the road this year. Hard to argue right now, but time will tell. With all that said I think tonight the stars and moon and whatever shit is out there will line up just right for the C”s tonight. They haven’t played the way that we are accustomed to see them playing. They get arguably one of the best teams in the league right now coming into town. They are a home dog since I don’t know when. Emotions will be running high with Perk coming back and the biggest thing for me is that they are a desperate team. They know what has to get done and what needs to get done in order to turn this season around and what better way then to do it against a Thunder who are playing lights right now. I know all the numbers point to a Thunder beat down ,but I will go against that tonight and look for the C’s to come out with a lot of energy and try to avoid losing their 5th in a row. Rolling with the Celtics tonight!
BOL!
Hawks / Cats under 185
The Cats play host to the Hawks in what could be the worse game on the schedule tonight. The Hawks let another close game slip right out of their hands. I don't know what to make of this squad one night they look like world beaters and take it to Miami in Miami and get up dd's in Chicago and blow that game. I can't make out what they are doing out there.They don't seem to have a low post presence and like the tnt cast said last night what does Josh Smith do well? They are right I can't seem to figure it out what it is. The Hawks rely heavily on perimeter shooting and for JJ to create off the dribble or in the post. He just hasn't looked like himself to start the season. It could be all them dollars holding him down ,but he needs to get it going if his squad is going to have a chance at getting homecourt for the first round.On the other side of the ball the Cats have been who we thought they were not very good, but if taken lightly can come up with big wins. Just ask the Knicks about it. These Cats seem to be different then years past their defense stinks this year, but their offense seems to be alot better with most of their games going over the total. So why such a low total this game. The Hawks are coming off a hearbreaking loss and will be playing their 4th set of b2b's. I expect their shots to be short from them tired legs and Drew is going to have to find a way to keep his guys fresh with 4 out of 5 startes playing 40+ minutes. The Hawks were number 1 in defense coming into last nights game I expect them to get back to that tonight vs a Cats team that doesn't have alot of offensive firepower..Look for a lil bit of hangover for the Cats after a huge win in MSG and for the Hawks to get back on track after 2 tough losses..Like the under in this one!
Good luck
Boston / Miami under 187
So tonight we get another rematch from last years playoffs for both teams and I am pretty sure that these 2 teams will have no love lost that's for sure. The Heat handled them in 5 games last year and you know the Celts are going to want to show them that are still a team in the East that is going to have to be dealt with once again. I just don't think that is going to happen in this game. The obvious problem is no Pierce and since he won't be playing so Rondo is going to have to come up big again just like against the Knicks for the Celtics to stand a chance in this game... Their defense is going to have to play better. They can't allow them to shoot 50% I just don't know if they can. You know the Heat's defense will be to try and cut the head of the snake off and force the other guys around him to beat em. We all know Ray isnt' the type of player to create his own shot he rely's heavily on his teammates to get him open and for Rondo to him in his spots. KG will be KG and get you 15 and 10, but where else is the offense going to come from. On Chirstmas day they were fortunate to be playing a Knicks team that doesn't pride themselves on defense and Rondo was able to create for himself and his teammates. I don't think that will happen to much tonight. If the Heat treat Rondo like they did Rose and put Lebron on him since he won't have to be checking Pierce it should cause fits for the Celtics. The oddsmakers got this at a dd spread so they don't think the Celts have a chance. I look for this game to out of reach by the end of the 3rd quarter and Doc putting in the scrubs since they got a game tomorrow. Let's go defense!
Good luck!
Welcome back NBA it has been a long time! Just like the rest of you have been feening for some basketball and this season will be the most difficult for me to cap with all the b2b's. I wish all my covers brothers the best of luck this season and may you all smack your book in the mouth!!
Raps / Cavs over 195.5
Tonight we have the Cavs playing host to their brothers from the north the Raps in what will be the lottery bowl!. These teams obviously don't have any playoff aspirations, but I feel these guys will get after it and might become a very entertaining game. They have the line set around 3 so the books know it will be close, but the total seems a lil weird to me with 2 teams that don't have great offensive fire power they have it set at this number. They know these teams aren't going to be playing stellar D so why such the high number. I know some of you will say it's right where it should be with these teams ,but I'm just not buying it. Let's see Cavs are starting a rooking pg and have only 3 players with more then 2 seasons in the league. Scott will have his hands full for sure, but with them being so young they won't know any better and come out balling cuz they don't have shit to loose. I can't wait to see what Irving can do with all those young legs around him hopefully it will be very entertaining. On the other side of the ball the Raps are starting with a new coach and new schemes so I am not sure what to expect from them this year. They do have an athletic back court that will give teams fits and Bargnani who will look to build on a career year. I look for this game to be a very up tempo game with both teams not really known for solid D and the total to go over...Love the NBA is back!!
Good luck!