THE GHOST OF MAKAVELI CAN’T SAVE EM’ – CELTICS VS. LAKERS

When: Wednesday, February 20th at 730PM PT

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Line: -7.5 Lakers

Total: 196.5

Line Movement 

Last Meeting: The Celtics easily defeated the Lakers in Boston on February 7th, 116-95.

The Match-Up

The injury plagued Boston Celtics dropped their second in three games, falling to the Denver Nuggets at home Tuesday night, 97-90. The Los Angeles Lakers have also lost two out of their last three games. Boston will travel to the Staples Center Wednesday to play their second game in as many days to face a Lakers squad that hasn’t played since before the All-Star break.

Betting Information

Against the spread, the home team Los Angeles Lakers are a lowly 21-33 ATS overall (12-15 ATS in home games), 17-18 ATS as a favorite, and 7-14 ATS in non-conference games. The Celtics are 22-28 ATS overall (7-14 ATS in road games) and 8-10 ATS as an underdog. Boston is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.

Concerning the total, the Lakers are 27-26 Over (14-12 Under in home games) and 14-7 Under in non-conference games. The Celtics are 27-25 Under overall (12-11 Under on the road).

The total has gone Under in 7 of the last 10 contests between the Lakers and the Celtics.

Will the Death of Jerry Buss’ inspire the Lakers?

God bless the dead and all, but come on. The LA Lakers, a team made up of individuals not even half the age of Jerry Buss, are going to grieve for a day or two more, then go on collectin’ those paychecks. Not even the second-coming of Tupac Amaru Shakur will get these Lakers to come together and play with heart. Could the Lakers make the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed? Sure. With that line-up, anything short of a Finals appearance would be a bust. The showtime Lakers, however, still have plenty of uncomfortable questions with equally uncomfortable answers. Two things that are about as certain as not being able to see through the LA smog: The Lakers ain’t making the Finals. The Lakers ain’t winning a playoff series.

Injury Report

Source: ESPN, LA Times

BADLY BRUISED: BULLS FACE CELTICS IN MATCHUP OF INJURED TEAMS

by TYLER WOGALTER

Last Meeting: The Bulls defeated the Celtics 100-99 (OT) at Boston on 1/18/13

Line: Celtics -2, Total: 182

Matchup

With injured lists that have more names than a petition, the banged-up Chicago Bulls travel to Boston on Wednesday to take on the wounded Celtics at 7:30 ET. Both the Celtics and Bulls have been struck with the injury bug this season, suffering long term injuries to each team’s respective All-Star point guards, as well as a number of other playmakers. The Bulls have been without 2011 MVP Derrick Rose all season, and have certainly missed his production recently. Chicago has lost three of their last four contests, giving up an average of 108.8 PPG to opponents over that stretch. The Celtics on the other hand, have played solid basketball since the season-ending injury of Rajon Rondo. Aside from an embarrassing loss at Charlotte on Monday, the Celtics have won seven of their last eight and have done surprisingly well without the former Kentucky star bringing up the ball.

In prior seasons, Chicago and Boston would be neck and neck with the Heat for the East’s best record, but injuries have derailed those plans for now. This matchup, one of the Eastern Conference’s finest rivalries, does not hold the same weight as it previously would have if both teams were healthy and vying for the top spot in the playoffs. Acting as the final game for each team before All-Star Weekend, both the Bulls and Celtics will need to amplify their play after the break if they want to contend for the Finals. Currently, the Bulls hold the 4^th seed in the East and have a half game cushion over the Nets. The Celtics possess the 7^th seed, but are only a game and a half above the Bucks for the final spot in the playoffs.

Betting Information

The Bulls are 30-21 straight up and 21-29 against the spread on the year. While playing on the road, Chicago is 15-9 SU and 14-9 ATS. The Bulls have a record of 29-22 Under against the overall point total, shooting an average of 93.6 PPG. Not too bad for a team without their best player.

The Celtics have a season record of 27-24 SU and 22-26 ATS, and are 19-9 SU and 15-12 ATS when playing at the TD Garden. Boston is 25-25 against the point total, and is putting up 96.3 PPG. Both teams have gone Over against the total in three of their last four games.

Injuries

As if losing Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger weren’t enough, the Celtics were dealt another season-ending injury on Monday in the form of a torn ACL to Leandro Barbosa. In the last month, the Celtics have lost three key contributors for the year, making the climb to the top of the East even harder. Barbosa was averaging 12.5 minutes, 5.2 PPG and 1.4 APG on the year.

What to watch for

Their last few games might not prove it, but the Bulls have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season. Allowing only 91.9 PPG (3^rd in the league) and grabbing 43.6 RPG (6^th in the league), look for the Bulls to continue their defensive dominance as Joakim Noah clocks more minutes and fully returns from injury.

Veteran leadership is what Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett bring to the table and have been vital to their recent success. Combined, the two are averaging 36.0 PPG and 19.5 RPG throughout the month of February. If the Celtics hope to do anything against the Bulls, watch for these two future Hall of Famers to make their imprint on the game.

The pick

It’s tough to pick a team when it isn’t at full strength, which makes this game so difficult to pick. These two damaged clubs are in desperate need of the upcoming All-Star break, bringing up the question: “how hard will they play?” I think both teams will show up to play in Boston, but I feel as though the home team has the advantage in this one. I like the Celtics to knock off the Bulls and go eight for their last nine, bringing a positive vibe into the second half of the season for a team that desperately needs it. Take the home favorite giving points, but not the over, 89-84.

Source: ESPN

NBA ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: CLIPPERS (34-14) VS. CELTICS (23-23)

y LUCAS COMBS

When: Sunday, February 3^rd at 10AM PT

Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Line: -1 Celtics

Total: 184

Line Movement

Last Meeting: December 27th – The Clippers routed the Celtics in LA 106-77.

The Match-Up

The LA Clippers may be one of the best teams in the league, but on Friday night they were pummeled and humiliated by one of the league’s bottom dwellers, the Toronto Raptors. Clippers players cited lack of energy as the reason for their worst loss of the season. Chris Paul has yet to resume practicing since re-injuring his knee on January 12^th versus the Orlando Magic.

Betting Information

After losing 6 in a row straight up and going 0-6 against the spread, the Boston Celtics have won 3 in a row straight up, going 3-0 ATS. On the year, the Celtics are a porous 18-25-3 ATS (11-12-1 ATS at home). Boston has a slight tendency to play in lower scoring games than expected – the Celtics are 24-21-1 Under (13-11-1 Under at home). The total has gone Under in 3 out of the last 4 home games for Boston.

The LA Clippers have struggled some lately, losing 5 out of their last 7 games straight up and going 2-5 ATS. The Clippers are 27-21 ATS on the year (11-12 ATS on the road). LA is 25-23 Over on the season (13-10 Under on the road). The total has gone Under in the last 3 games and in 3 out of the last 4 road games for the Clippers.

Outlook

Clippers’ Jamal Crawford suffered a broken nose in the loss Friday versus the Raptors and will be a game time decision Sunday versus the Celtics. If Crawford can’t go, the prospects of a Clippers road win will dwindle significantly versus a Boston team looking for its fourth straight win.

Injury Report

Source: SBNation