NBA Betting Preview: Celtics are coming good at the right time

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 19 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Paul Pierce is in fine form but will it be enough at Dallas?

"I really like the look of Dallas against Boston and I make them my bet of the week. The Mavericks are currently [17.5] to win the NBA championship which represents outstanding value in my opinion."

Boston have been impressive of late but a trip to Texas will provide a stern test of their championship credentials. Meanwhile, the Spurs can expect an equally tough time against the Hawks. Nick Shiambouros selects the weekend's best NBA bets.

The Miami Heat were beaten 108-102 in a heartbreaking overtime loss on Thursday evening. The Heat had plenty of chances to win this vital home game but failed to make some crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter. Dwyane Wade had an outstanding game with 36 points and 10 rebounds. Miami showed a lot of grit in defeat and I still believe they will make the post-season. The Heat are currently in seventh place in the East.
　
The Boston Celtics put up a solid effort on Wednesday defeating New York 109-97. Boston are finally beginning to show some consistency heading in to the latter stages of the season. Paul Pierce had a very big night on Wednesday scoring 29 points. Boston have drifted to [15.5] to win the NBA championship but that's still not big enough to tempt me to step in. I can see some big changes taking place this summer if Boston do not perform well in the play-offs.

The Celtics travel to Dallas on Saturday evening in a very interesting match-up. The Mavericks are only four games behind Los Angeles in the Western Conference and have been playing some outstanding basketball recently.

Team leader Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 25 points per game and is having another superb season on both ends of the floor. I have also been very impressed with Jason Kidd who has added another dimension to his game at the age of 37, developing a long range jump shot which has paid handsome dividends this year. This veteran worked very hard during the summer and is one of the reasons Dallas has become a contender for the championship.

I really like the look of Dallas in this game and I make them my bet of the week. The Mavericks are currently [17.5] to win the NBA championship which represents outstanding value in my opinion.　
　
On Sunday night, the San Antonio Spurs travel to the Atlanta Hawks in a game with play-off implications. The Spurs have slipped to seventh place in the West and have some work to do to ensure a play-off berth. They will have a very tough time against this consistent Hawk rotation.

Atlanta are having a tremendous year and this unfashionable franchise has only lost seven games at home all season. Jamal Crawford is having a great year, averaging over 17 points per game. There are no real superstars in this team but they work well together and are very disciplined .

Another important game taking place on Sunday features the Phoenix Suns who play host to the Portland Trailblazers. Portland are currently in eighth place in the West and are on a four game winning streak.

The great Brandon Roy is having another good year for Portland and he will be a huge factor on Sunday. At the beginning of the year Portland were considered a team with a real chance of winning the championship. Things have not exactly gone to plan but I still think they will make the play-offs. This team will give Phoenix all they can handle in this crucial game.
　
Recommended bets:

Saturday back Dallas with advertised handicap
Sunday back Atlanta with advertised handicap
Sunday back Portland with advertised handicap