Motivation should be the only question as sports bettor-friendly Boston seeks a second straight NBA championship after competing in the NBA’s weakest division. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2007/08 season are in parentheses:
BOSTON CELTICS (82-26 SU, 67-40-1 ATS, 48-58-2 O/U): The “Big Three” of Kevin Garnett (18.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG), Paul Pierce (19.6 PPG) and Ray Allen (17.4 PPG) had no trouble sharing the basketball but it was their inspired defense that really keyed the team’s title run. Rajon Rondo (10.6 PPG, 5.1 APG) can only improve in his third season at the point and Kendrick Perkins, who shot 61 percent from the field last year, knows his role in the paint. The Celtics will be a target this year but they’ll be firing back at their pursuers.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 31-20-1
Home Underdog: 3-0
Away Favorite: 19-12
Away Underdog: 13-7
Sportsbook Buster: The Celtics were 13-2-1 ATS versus their Atlantic Division foes last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Deep and well-conditioned Boston was 13-5-1 ATS on zero days rest last year.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (42-46 SU, 45-42-1 ATS, 40-47-1 O/U): The addition of Elton Brand, a perennial all-star who played only eight games for the Clippers last season after tearing his Achilles tendon, should help put the Sixers back in the playoffs. Thaddeus Young moves to his natural small forward position with Samuel Dalembert (10.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG) at center. Andre Iguodala (19.9 PPG) and Andre Miller (17.0 PPG, 6.9 APG) start in the backcourt but Philadelphia, which shot a league-worst 31.7 percent from 3-point range, still lacks an outside threat.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 12-12
Home Underdog: 9-10-1
Away Favorite: 4-1
Away Underdog: 19-18
Sportsbook Buster: The “under” was 15-8-1 when the Sixers played teams from the Central Division last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Philadelphia was 5-1 ATS with no rest when playing back-to-back away games last year.
TORONTO RAPTORS (42-45 SU, 41-45-1 ATS, 43-44 O/U): The Raptors should be improved now that they’ve bolstered their frontcourt with Jermaine O’Neal. He’ll play alongside all-star Chris Bosh (22.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG) and 2006 No. 1 draft pick Andrea Bargnani (10.2 PPG), who must do more rebounding and less outside shooting if Toronto is to make progress. Jose Calderon finished fifth in the league in assists (8.3) and shooting guard Anthony Parker (12.5 PPG) was the NBA’s seventh most accurate (43.8 percent) 3-point shooter.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 20-14
Home Underdog: 2-3
Away Favorite: 6-8-1
Away Underdog: 12-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Raptors were 10-5 ATS on two or more days rest last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Toronto was just 2-8 ATS versus teams from the Pacific Division, last year.
NEW YORK KNICKS (23-59 SU, 37-44-1 ATS, 50-32 O/U): Mike D’Antoni was known for his high octane offense in Phoenix but there’s no one to drive the engine in New York. Chris Duhon should replace disgruntled Stephon Marbury at the point with Jamal Crawford (20.6 PPG) as his backcourt running mate. Zach Randolph (17.6 PPG, 10.3 RPG) and Eddy Curry (13.2 PPG) haven’t meshed up front and fan favorite David Lee (10.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG), the only player who seems to fit D’Antoni’s fast-paced style, if being offered in trades.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 2-9
Home Underdog: 13-15
Away Favorite: 0-1
Away Underdog: 21-18-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Knicks were 16-25 ATS at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: New York was just 2-10 as a favorite last year but the “over” was 50-32.
NEW JERSEY NETS (34-48 SU, 32-47-3 ATS, 41-39-2 O/U): Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson are gone, leaving the Nets with Vince Carter (21.3 PPG) and a roster with eight players under the age of 26. Devin Harris (14.8 PPG, 5.8 APG) will run the attack but New Jersey will be hard-pressed to match last season’s 34 wins.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 8-11-1
Home Underdog: 8-11-1
Away Favorite: 5-4
Away Underdog: 9-20-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Nets were 17-31-2 as an underdog last season.
Sports Betting Angle: New Jersey was only 4-12 ATS versus Atlantic Division opponents last year.
