NBA Betting Preview: Celtics have firepower to survive slump

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 09 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Top of the table LeBron and co await the Celtics on Friday night but, despite their recent slump in form, Nick Shiambouros is backing Boston to take down Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Rockets look for a boost against New York.

The Boston Celtics are now officially in a slump after they were beaten by a spirited Houston team 89-85 in a gruelling game late on Wednesday night. Tracy McGrady did not start for the Rockets due to a knee injury which made the victory even more meritorious. The Celtics have now lost six out of the last eight games.

It appears that Boston are still feeling the effects of the loss to the Lakers on Christmas day and lacked their usual energy late in this game. To make matters worse for the Celtics both Cleveland and Orlando keep winning and for the first time this season Cleveland head the Eastern Conference.

It is definitely not time to panic just yet as the team has every weapon available to get through this mini crisis.

Over in the Western Conference the Denver Nuggets suffered a severe blow with the news that Carmello Anthony will be out for at least three weeks with a hand injury. This is terrible news for Denver as Anthony is vital to the success of this franchise. They did manage to beat Miami 108-97 on Wednesday but there were periods when they looked vulnerable. Denver will hope he makes a speedy recovery as they could lose valuable ground in the west without him

The game of the week without doubt takes place on Friday night when the Celtics travel to Cleveland where LeBron and company await. The Cavs are unbeaten at home this season with a record of 18-0. There is no question that they are on fire at the moment but my money will be on Boston Friday night.

The Celtics are the best team in the country and although they have hit a bad patch I think Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will provide enough motivation to take down Cleveland. In addition, Cleveland have had a reasonably easy schedule recently making their recent record slightly misleading.

Cleveland are currently trading at [1.37] which is way too short against the World Champions.
Clearly nobody is able to contain James but Ben Wallace and Delonte West are going to have to raise their game to keep Boston at bay.

On Saturday night Ron Artest and the Houston Rockets host the New York Knicks in a vital game for Houston. The Rockets injury woes continue but they should have too many guns for New York.

Both Artest and Tracy McGrady have been out with ankle and knee injuries and as a result have slipped to seventh place in the west. There will be at least one very good team that will not make the play-offs in the west but I don't think it will be Houston.

I featured the New York Knicks in a recent article and they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma Thunder on Tuesday night. The Thunder have the worst record in basketball and the only saving grace for the Knicks is that it was not a home game.

Finally veteran announcer "Hot" Rod Hundley called his 3000th game on Wednesday night for the Utah Jazz .He has been known as the voice of the Jazz for 35 years and has a unique style which everyone has grown to love over the years. Long may he reign.

Recommended wagers:

Friday, Boston back with advertised handicap
Saturday, Houston, back with advertised handicap