Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder host a battle worn Boston Celtics team tonight. Can Boston keep it within 8.5 tonight, or will the holes in their roster allow the Thunder to come away with a blowout?
Once again, NBA odds makers are slow to the starting block
in releasing lines for tonight's contest between the Celtics and the Thunder.
This is almost certainly because of various injuries. We already know that the
C's will be without Rajon Rondo, who is serving his second game of a two game
suspension this evening. Let's take a look at some of the factors that will
influence the line of tonight's game in Oklahoma City.
Nursing Home
The Boston Celtics are in a tough position. They have lost four in
a row and six of their last seven heading into tonight's game; their last
before a much needed All Star break. I have been saying this entire season that
one or more of the big three should be traded if the Celtics want one last run
towards the title. Boston is a game
below .500 and are struggling to stay in the playoff picture in the Eastern
Conference.
If their recent bad play wasn't enough, the Celtics will be
without some key components this evening. I already mentioned Rondo's
suspension. Brandon Bass will miss tonight's game as well; along with Jermaine
O'Neal and Chris Wilcox basically being game time decisions after leaving Monday's game against the Mavericks. Good news for the Celtics is that Kevin
Garnett is set to make his return tonight after missing the last two games.
This will be Boston's fourth game on this road trip and
third game in four nights on the road. This is rough territory for a team as
old and banged up as Boston is. Heading for a date with the Western Conference
leading Thunder could leave an even worse taste in the mouths of the Celtics
heading into some time off for the All Star Game.
Is a Thunder storm coming?
The big question surrounding this team last year is the same
one hovering around this season; do they have enough to win a championship? I
don't have the answer, however, it sure does look like they are inching their
way closer to a Finals run. OKC is 25-7, and has won five of their last six
games.
Oklahoma City's two stars have been on fire in their last
two games. Both went for a combined 91 points in their overtime win over the
Nuggets on Sunday, and followed it up with a combined 62 points in their win
over the Hornets. Kevin Durant and Co. have had a day off in between their last game and
tonight's, to try and improve upon their 12-1 home record.
All is not perfect for the Thunder, however. They have a few
injury concerns as well. Most noticeably is their third best player and 6th
man, James Harden. Harden sat out Monday's game against the Hornets with an
ankle injury, which wasn't documented at all until a few hours before Monday's
tip. This could be good or bad news. The Thunder could have been just holding
him out as a precaution when playing the Hornets, or it could mean that it is
kind of serious and will need monitoring. My guess is that it isn't serious,
but keep an eye on it before tip off. Also, Nick Collison missed Monday's game
with a groin injury.
Sportsbooks have opened with the Thunder listed as 9 point favorites, bus some sports betting shops are offering the line slightly lower at 8.5. NBA odds makers are yet to release a total for this matchup, but check back with us prior to tip-off for updated NBA lines.
The Sharp Pick
Boston has struggled to cover over their last eight games;
as they are only 1-7 ATS in their last eight. They are also 0-5 ATS and 1-5 SU
on the road in those respective stretches. The only time these two teams have
played each other this season was in Boston and the Thunder were able to come
away with a win 97-88 and a cover as -2.5 favorites.
This time in Oklahoma City, with so many injury concerns for
the Celtics, the Thunder have opened as -8.5 favorites. With the possibility of
no Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox, the Celtics will have no depth in their
front court this evening. For a team that is last in the league in rebounding
the ball, and going up against former Celtic, Kendrick Perkins and rebounding
specialist Serge Ibaka, this will be a huge problem. With no Rondo as well,
this will be another hard one to swallow for the Celtics.
My Pick: Thunder -8 ½