NBA Spreads: San Antonio Spurs at Boston Celtics
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Boston Celtics will go for their third straight win tonight when they host the San Antonio Spurs. Boston has won two straight since Rajon Rondo returned to the lineup, including a 96-93 win at home over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The Spurs will try to avoid losing two straight for the first time this season, after falling to the Knicks 128-115 last night. Boston has won five of the last seven in the series, but San Antonio has won 14 of their last 16 trips to the Garden. Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s game, the oddsmakers have the Celtics favored by 2-points over the Spurs at home.
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The Spurs have been known for their defense over the years, but they definitely struggled on the defensive side of the ball last night. They allowed three different players to score at least 28 points, and allowed the Knicks to shoot 55% from the field.
The Spurs offense wasn’t terrible against New York, as they had six different players score in double-figures. Tony Parker led the way with 26 points, but no other Spurs player had more than 17. San Antonio is averaging just under 106 points a game this season, but reaching their average figures to be a stretch against the Celtics, as they come into the game allowing just 90.8 points.
San Antonio should have a much easier time on the defensive end tonight, as the Celtics really don’t push the ball up and down the court like the Knicks do, and Boston is missing one of their best players in Kevin Garnett.
Even though the Celtics are getting San Antonio on the second game of a back-to-back, it is going to be a challenge beating a team like the Spurs without Garnett. Especially with the Spurs coming in a little pissed off after losing.
Boston is going to need a big night offensively from both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Pierce had 23 points in the win over the Timberwolves, but many times it looked like Pierce was trying to create for others instead of himself.
Glenn Davis scored 17 points against the Timberwolves, and has done a pretty good job while filling in for Garnett, but at the same time moving Davis to the starting lineup, has made the bench a lot weaker, and don’t be surprised if the Spurs don’t attack the Celtics down low and try and get Boston into some early foul trouble.
I really like the Spurs in this one, as I just think the Celtics are getting way to much credit without Garnett in the lineup. San Antonio has the league’s best record for a reason, and I think they go into Boston and get the win.
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