NBA Spreads: Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Boston Celtics will are set to visit the Portland Trail Blazers Thursday night. It will be the final time these two teams hook up this season. Boston won 99-95 at home back on Dec. 1. Tip-off is set for 10:30 ET and will be televised nationally on TNT.
Boston comes into the game off a 112-95 win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Boston is 6-1 in their last seven games, but have lost two straight on the road, including a 85-83 loss at Washington last Saturday.
The Trail Blazers had their season-long five-game winning streak snapped on Monday night, as they fell 96-81 at home to the Kings. Portland is just 1-10 in their last 11 games against the Celtics.
To no surprise our NBA spreads have the Celtics favored by 5-points over the Trail Blazers with the total set at 185.
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The Celtics welcomed back Kendrick Perkins, as he played his first game of the season against the Cavaliers. Perkins came off the bench to score seven points and grab six boards in just 17 minutes. It is going to take some time for Perkins to get back into game shape, but his presence is big right now with Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal out with injuries.
Paul Pierce led seven different players in double figures with 24 points in the win over Cleveland. Ray Allen added 18 points and Rajon Rondo had a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.
The last time the Celtics faced the Trail Blazers, Portland still had Brandon Roy and Marcus Camby. Neither one will be suited up for tonight’s game, and the Trail Blazers will likely have to play with a banged up LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been bothered by his right hip.
Aldridge has been the glue that has kept the Trail Blazers alive despite all the injuries, but in the last game against the Kings, Aldridge had just nine points on 4-14 shooting. That’s not a good sign for Portland going up against a defense like the Celtics.
Wesley Matthews scored a team-high 21 points, Andre Miller added 18, and Nicolas Batum had 16. No other player scored in double figures, and the Trail Blazers had their lowest offensive output at home since scoring just 78 points against the Hornets on Nov. 26.
I think there is no question you take the Celtics to win this game on the road. Boston doesn’t need a ton of motivation to play hard, but with the game on TNT, I have a good feeling they won’t have a let down tonight. Look for Boston to take control early and never look back.
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