Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz
Monday, 2/25/13, 9:00 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Utah -6
Current Betting Line: Utah -7.5
Opening Total: 191.5
Current Total: 190
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Boston has dropped three of four games on its road trip that ends Monday, including a 92-86 setback to the Portland Trail Blazers as two-point road underdogs last night, while going UNDER the posted total of 192. “It was one of those ‘my bad’ games,” commented Celtics coach Doc Rivers. The Celtics have had all kinds of trouble on the boards during this recent stretch, as they’ve been out-rebounded by 32 boards in their last three losses. The team is 9-18 on the road this season, including a 1-8 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Boston is 2-4 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points this season, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread.
The Celtics have won four straight games against the Jazz, including a 98-93 victory as five-point home favorites on Nov. 14. Forward Paul Pierce led the way with 23 points, while he also paces the team in averaging 18.3 on the season. Boston was putting up 105.0 points per game in its first seven contests without injured point guard Rajon Rondo, but it has been limited to 91.7 in the last six.
Utah had its three-game win streak snapped last time out, as it suffered a 107-94 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers as 9.5-point road underdogs last Saturday, while going OVER the total for the fourth time in five contests. “We gave them too many easy shots and turned the ball over too many times,” stated Jazz center Al Jefferson. The Jazz are 21-6 overall at EnergySolutions Arena, including a 7-1 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Utah is 3-5 ATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 9 points this season, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines page.
The Jazz are 36-49 all-time against the Celtics, including a 25-17 mark when playing in Salt Lake City. Utah has a good chance of covering this number if it can knock down shots from the 3-point area, as it hit 17 of 40 attempts from beyond the arc in its last two home wins over Oklahoma City and Golden State.
Sports bettors will likely back the Jazz due to their 5-2 ATS mark versus non-conference foes, while the Celtics are 6-14 ATS away from the TD Garden.
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