Boston Celtics close to 100% for game at Hawks
Boston Celtics close to 100% for game at Hawks
With Kevin Garnett slowly working his way back into the Celtics lineup, and Rajon Rondo expected to play after a recent ankle injury, Boston travels to Atlanta to take on the Hawks Friday at least a little closer to 100% than they were just a week ago. The Hawks have proven to be a pesky opponent for the Celtics this year, splitting the previous two meetings straight up and covering both contests against the spread.
It’s a match made in heaven – or somewhere. Reports from ESPN on Wednesday said Isiah Thomas met up with Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling “several weeks ago” looking for work. It appears Clippers coach and GM Mike Dunleavy needs some help fulfilling his double duties. No job offer was extended to Thomas, but the two sides apparently had “substantive” talks.
This might actually work – if Thomas coaches the Clippers. His three seasons with the Pacers between 2000-03 were positive, and easily forgotten after he was handed the keys to the Knicks franchise and drove it into the Hudson.
Dunleavy, meanwhile, has gotten more praise for his roster management than his coaching acumen. The Clips are 18-54 SU and 30-42 ATS this year. Could Thomas possibly make them any worse? Admit it: You’d love to find out.
Boston at Atlanta
Friday, Mar 27, 7:30 p.m. (ET) NBA-TV
Boston (54-19 SU, 37-36 ATS) is close to 100 percent again at 3-1 SU and ATS since Kevin Garnett’s return from a strained knee. The Big Ticket has only played about 17 minutes per game; according to the Boston Globe, Garnett can expect that total to rise to about 25 minutes as the Celtics work him up to playoff speed. Rajon Rondo sprained his left ankle (again) in Wednesday’s loss to Orlando, but says he will play Friday.
The Hawks (42-30 SU, 40-31-1 ATS) have enjoyed a tremendous month at 10-6 SU and 12-3-1 ATS to lock down a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ve also covered both their contests with Boston this year, splitting a pair of victories home and away. Atlanta goes into the rubber match without Marvin Williams; Maurice Evans has hit 42.9 percent of his 3-pointers this month to give the Hawks some balance on offense, although depth is now a concern.
Milwaukee at Miami
Saturday, Mar 28, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
These are interesting times for the Bucks (31-41 SU, 36-34-2 ATS). Despite losing top players Michael Redd (knee) and Andrew Bogut (back), Milwaukee is still on the periphery of the Eastern playoff hunt, 3.5 games behind Chicago at press time. But the Bucks are fading fast at 2-8 SU and 1-9 ATS in their last 10. Coach Scott Skiles has been critical of his team’s effort on defense, but without Redd at shooting guard the Bucks are being outscored by an average of 100-95 this month.
The Heat (38-34 SU, 33-37-2 ATS) ran out of gas during the first game of TNT’s Thursday doubleheader, falling 106-87 to Chicago (-5½). Miami’s lack of depth was exposed against the Bulls as Jermaine O’Neal (hip) was held to 23 minutes. This is a very average team, which really should be to their credit after last year’s NBA-worst 15-67 record, but the hype surrounding Dwyane Wade (29.8 points per game) and his MVP candidacy is having a direct effect on Miami’s betting odds. The Heat are 8-8 SU and 7-9 ATS over the past month.
San Antonio at New Orleans
Sunday, Mar 29, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN
At press time, only four games separated the No. 2 Spurs (47-24 SU, 35-34-2 ATS) from No. 8 Dallas in the Western Conference playoff race. New Orleans (44-26, 30-38-2 ATS) is wedged right in the middle in fifth place, 2.5 games behind San Antonio. Seeding is going to be crucial for this year’s playoffs, and with Phoenix making a charge up the standings, there’s not much time for either of these worn-down teams to take a breather.
The Spurs are doing what they can to keep Tim Duncan fresh. He was held out of Wednesday’s 102-92 victory in Atlanta (-6½), giving recent acquisition Drew Gooden a chance to stretch out his legs. Manu Ginobili also played 14 minutes against the Hawks in his first game back since injuring his ankle on Feb. 11. The win over the Hawks snapped an 0-5 ATS skid; there could be more money on the way with the underrated Ginobili (22.93 PER) back in the fold.
With Kevin Garnett slowly working his way back into the Celtics lineup, and Rajon Rondo expected to play after a recent ankle injury, Boston travels to Atlanta to take on the Hawks Friday at least a little closer to 100% than they were just a week ago. The Hawks have proven to be a pesky opponent for the Celtics this year, splitting the previous two meetings straight up and covering both contests against the spread.
It’s a match made in heaven – or somewhere. Reports from ESPN on Wednesday said Isiah Thomas met up with Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling “several weeks ago” looking for work. It appears Clippers coach and GM Mike Dunleavy needs some help fulfilling his double duties. No job offer was extended to Thomas, but the two sides apparently had “substantive” talks.
This might actually work – if Thomas coaches the Clippers. His three seasons with the Pacers between 2000-03 were positive, and easily forgotten after he was handed the keys to the Knicks franchise and drove it into the Hudson.
Dunleavy, meanwhile, has gotten more praise for his roster management than his coaching acumen. The Clips are 18-54 SU and 30-42 ATS this year. Could Thomas possibly make them any worse? Admit it: You’d love to find out.
Boston at Atlanta
Friday, Mar 27, 7:30 p.m. (ET) NBA-TV
Boston (54-19 SU, 37-36 ATS) is close to 100 percent again at 3-1 SU and ATS since Kevin Garnett’s return from a strained knee. The Big Ticket has only played about 17 minutes per game; according to the Boston Globe, Garnett can expect that total to rise to about 25 minutes as the Celtics work him up to playoff speed. Rajon Rondo sprained his left ankle (again) in Wednesday’s loss to Orlando, but says he will play Friday.
The Hawks (42-30 SU, 40-31-1 ATS) have enjoyed a tremendous month at 10-6 SU and 12-3-1 ATS to lock down a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ve also covered both their contests with Boston this year, splitting a pair of victories home and away. Atlanta goes into the rubber match without Marvin Williams; Maurice Evans has hit 42.9 percent of his 3-pointers this month to give the Hawks some balance on offense, although depth is now a concern.
Milwaukee at Miami
Saturday, Mar 28, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
These are interesting times for the Bucks (31-41 SU, 36-34-2 ATS). Despite losing top players Michael Redd (knee) and Andrew Bogut (back), Milwaukee is still on the periphery of the Eastern playoff hunt, 3.5 games behind Chicago at press time. But the Bucks are fading fast at 2-8 SU and 1-9 ATS in their last 10. Coach Scott Skiles has been critical of his team’s effort on defense, but without Redd at shooting guard the Bucks are being outscored by an average of 100-95 this month.
The Heat (38-34 SU, 33-37-2 ATS) ran out of gas during the first game of TNT’s Thursday doubleheader, falling 106-87 to Chicago (-5½). Miami’s lack of depth was exposed against the Bulls as Jermaine O’Neal (hip) was held to 23 minutes. This is a very average team, which really should be to their credit after last year’s NBA-worst 15-67 record, but the hype surrounding Dwyane Wade (29.8 points per game) and his MVP candidacy is having a direct effect on Miami’s betting odds. The Heat are 8-8 SU and 7-9 ATS over the past month.
San Antonio at New Orleans
Sunday, Mar 29, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ESPN
At press time, only four games separated the No. 2 Spurs (47-24 SU, 35-34-2 ATS) from No. 8 Dallas in the Western Conference playoff race. New Orleans (44-26, 30-38-2 ATS) is wedged right in the middle in fifth place, 2.5 games behind San Antonio. Seeding is going to be crucial for this year’s playoffs, and with Phoenix making a charge up the standings, there’s not much time for either of these worn-down teams to take a breather.
The Spurs are doing what they can to keep Tim Duncan fresh. He was held out of Wednesday’s 102-92 victory in Atlanta (-6½), giving recent acquisition Drew Gooden a chance to stretch out his legs. Manu Ginobili also played 14 minutes against the Hawks in his first game back since injuring his ankle on Feb. 11. The win over the Hawks snapped an 0-5 ATS skid; there could be more money on the way with the underrated Ginobili (22.93 PER) back in the fold.