Things couldn’t be going any better for the Celtics. They’ve opened the season 4-0 with a big win at Cleveland under their belt and now they’ve got their star point guard locked up for the next five years.
Rasheed Wallace’s ability to come off the bench and play big minutes at either the four or five spot has helped mask some of the rust Kevin Garnett is showing. The Big Ticket hasn’t played more than 26 minutes in any game since the opening night win over the 76ers.
Garnett’s presence is restoring the C’s defensive intensity. Boston’s opponents are shooting just 39.1 percent from the field, good for second best in the league.
Expect a well rested KG, along with Wallace backing him up, to slow down Elton Brand and the 76ers.
Pick: Celtics
Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat (-3.5, 216)
The Heat lead the Association in defensive field goal percentage, which is a big reason they’re 3-0 straight up and against the spread.
The Suns are also unbeaten but they’re doing it in the old Mike D’Antoni way: Shooting early, often and at a high percentage.
“He’ll test our defense in so many different ways,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Miami Herald about Phoenix point guard Steve Nash. “It will be challenging night for our defense. But the fundamental things we’ve been stressing in training camp, our guys have taken to heart.”
Spoelstra would prefer his team to slow the pace down, but the Heat showed they didn’t mind pushing the ball and getting some easy hoops against the Knicks. They won’t be able to help themselves tonight either against Phoenix.
Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets 11/3/09
Reply With Quote