Is there a worse bet in the Association right now than the Boston Celtics? The Green Guys opened up the year conquered their opponents and pointspreads with little difficulty, but over the last10 games they’re 1-9 against the spread.
Wednesday’s showing against the Philadelphia 76ers was a good example of what’s wrong with Boston. Philly was able to get whatever it wanted on the offensive end and stayed in the game, despite playing without starters Lou Williams and Elton Brand.
“It’s a long season,” Paul Pierce told the Boston Globe earlier this week. “We haven’t reached our peak yet. Obviously, we’re going to try and get better each and every day. I’m not going to push the panic button. We just have to get everybody back on the same page.”
The Raptors don’t do much right, but they can shoot from beyond the arc. That’s not good news for Boston backers. The Celtics’ opponents are shooting 45 percent from 3-point range over the last five games.
Pick: Toronto
New Jersey Nets at Sacramento Kings (-5.5, 194)
What’s uglier than fugly? Find me that word and you’ll have the perfect adjective to describe the Nets. NJ is still seeking its first win of the season and Friday’s game against the Kings might be the right opportunity.
The Nets’ depth is much better since the return of Devin Harris and Courtney Lee but Lawrence Frank’s club still struggles to fill up the hoop.
The Kings aren’t the rollover everyone thought they’d be this season. Rookie guard Tyreke Evans is progressing quickly while Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are both reliable scoring options in the paint.
Even better, Donte Greene, a freakish athlete who struggled to find a game in the pros, is contributing on a regular basis.
The Kings like to push the pace, but New Jersey won’t be able to help lift the game’s final score above the total. The under has hit NJ’s last 10 games.
Pick n Roll 11/27
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