Cavs-Celtics Bet Report
The Boston Celtics will likely play the Cleveland Cavaliers without the services of star Paul Pierce. Here’s the Thursday night preview from BroburySports.com.
The spread has not been released yet at Brobury. TNT will broadcast the first half of their doubleheader at 8 pm ET. Denver (-6) at Golden State is after.
Pierce is doubtful because of a thumb injury as well as the flu. He is a hard guy to keep out of the lineup, especially in big games like Cleveland.
Pierce didn’t play in Tuesday night’s 110-106 win over the New York Knicks. That was a game with very little defense and Boston should have been able to ‘cover’ the 9 ½-points with a little effort.
Marquis Daniels started at small forward and he acquitted himself nicely with 14 points. Nate Robinson made his debut after being acquired from the Knicks. He had just four points and it will take him time to get integrated into the offense.
Daniels is questionable tonight with the flu. That would be a big blow as well.
Boston (36-19, 21-33-1 ATS) has enough firepower to win most games without Pierce. The problem is he’s the go-to scorer in the fourth quarter. Kevin Garnett is not a great option due to his knee injury and Ray Allen isn’t getting any younger at 34.
Cleveland on ATS losing streak
Cleveland (44-14 SU, 28-29-1 ATS) has the best record in the Eastern Conference and looks like their on a collision course with the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
That would make Commissioner David Stern happier than the day his children were born, but it’s not a done deal yet. The Cavs tried to improve themselves at the trading deadline by acquiring power forward Antawn Jamison from Washington.
Jamison is averaging 13 PPG in his three Cleveland games, but they lost two of them. They did beat New Orleans on Tuesday night, 105-95 as 11 ½-point ‘chalk.’ Jamison scored 18 points, but it’s going to take time for the team to adjust to him and vice versa.
Cleveland is 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS since the All-Star break.
This is just the second meeting between Boston and Cleveland, the first was on opening night. Cleveland lost at home 95-89 as five-point favorites.
Will the Cavs get their revenge in Beantown?
You decide at BroburySports.com!
Posted: 2/25/10 10:35AM ET