NBA Betting Preview: A must win game for Boston?

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 05 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Kevin Garnett is still yet to fully recover from injury

"On Sunday, the Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic in a vital game for the Celtics. I really think Boston will struggle against and I make the Magic my bet of the week."

In the East, Cleveland have finally got going, while in the West, the Lakers march on. So who will Nick Shiambouros be backing on the last weekend before the All-Star break?

The Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed the Miami Heat 102-86 in Ohio on Thursday evening. This was the 10th win in a row for the Cavs and they are simply unstoppable at the moment. The great LeBron James was rampant, throwing 36 points for his team. It has taken Cleveland a while to get going this season but now they have become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

The Orlando Magic came from behind to beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday 99-82 in a good looking victory. The Magic have won seven out of their last eight but are still six games behind Cleveland in the East.

The Boston Celtics struggled past the Miami Heat 107-102 in a hard fought affair on their home floor on Wednesday. This team has drifted to [6.6] to win the NBA Championship and in truth that price looks way to short.
　
Over in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers held off a persistent Charlotte Bobcat team to win 99-97 in a thrilling encounter at the Staples Center on Wednesday night. The Lakers hold a healthy 4.5 game advantage over Denver in the Western Conference.
　
The Denver Nuggets were beaten by the Phoenix Suns 109-97 in a one sided affair on Wednesday. This was one of the worst performances I have seen all year from Denver and they will struggle in the play-offs if they do not defend with more intensity.
　
There are some very interesting games taking place on this final weekend before the All-Star break.

On Saturday, the in form Utah Jazz host the Denver Nuggets in what promises to be a very entertaining affair. The Jazz have only lost once in 10 games and are the team to beat. Deron Williams is having a fantastic season for Utah and I think he is the best point guard in basketball.

Denver have a great point guard in Chauncey Billups but he is the only player that is prepared to play defense for this Nugget rotation. Denver coach George Karl has to motivate his players to defend better, otherwise I can see Denver being eliminated in the first round of the play-offs.
　
On Sunday, the Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic in a vital game for the Celtics. I really think Boston will struggle against Orlando and I make the Magic my bet of the week.

Rajon Rondo has picked up the slack for this injury hit Boston team but Kevin Garnett is not playing anywhere near the level he can. He is clearly still feeling the effects of his recent injury.

The Magic are playing at a much higher level than they were a couple of weeks ago due to the outstanding form of Dwight Howard. This powerful center is virtually unstoppable when he gets in to the paint these days and is sure to make his presence felt on Sunday afternoon.

It is way too early to suggest this is a must win game for Boston but a defeat on their home floor against the Magic would deal a severe blow to the confidence of this team.
　
Recommended Bets:
Saturday - Back Utah
Sunday - Back Orlando