With so many
injuries to so many key players this is a tough game to call, keep your eyes on
our live updated NBA betting odds.
The Boston
Celtics (16-4 SU, 11-8-1 ATS) missed a big piece of their puzzle in Rajon Rondo
Sunday night as he removed himself from the starting lineup, suffering the
lingering effects of a strained hamstring, only moments before the Celts were
to tip off against the Nets. But capable
understudy Nate Robinson put the jig saw back together and scored more than
anyone on the hardwood that night with 21 points and 6 dishes en route to a
100-75 blowout of New Jersey.
The
Celtics may yet again face the prospect of doing without the services of Rondo for
tonight’s showdown with the Nuggets as well as contending with the possible
absence of the big man himself, Shaquille O’Neal, currently nursing a sore
right calf.
Back to back games
The Denver
Nuggets (13-7 SU, 6-12-2 ATS) had their 7 game winning streak snapped by the
Charlotte Bobcats last night and now must fly to Beantown to battle one of the
hottest teams in the league.
In an 82
game season, back to back games can be particularly brutal for a team on the road. It’s one thing to play and then drive to the
comfort and safety of your own home after the game, only to show up the next
day at your home court, in front of friendly fans, to do it all over
again. But when you’ve just left your
blood, sweat and tears on foreign soil only to shower up, scramble to the
airport, fly into another strange city late at night and then face another
opponent in yet another hostile environment, well it ain’t easy.
Big Green streaking but hurting
Aside from
the Dallas Mavericks who have won 10 straight, Boston is the hottest team in
basketball, winning 7 consecutive games and 8 of their last 10. Boston is not only winning games but their
bench is now deep enough to give the Big 3 a chance to catch their breath. Shaquille has been exactly what they needed
this year and what they’ve lacked in the past. He is no longer the immovable force of yesteryear but he has given them
an imposing presence and contributing over 11 points a game in his limited
role. Big Baby Glen Davis left practice
on Tuesday with an undetermined illness and is questionable as well for
Wednesday. With starting center Kendrick
Perkins yet to see action this season due to offseason ACL surgery and Jermaine
O’Neal sidelined himself with a knee injury, you have to wonder who will be
playing center if Davis or Shaq can’t go.
Who wins?
This is a
very difficult game to handicap at press time as there are so many
uncertainties with the Celtics big bodies and the availability of the
quarterback of the team, Rajon Rondo.
The Nuggets may feel the lingering effects of
a late rally against Charlotte that went awry as Chauncy Billups last second
shot was unable to tickle the twine and Denver walked away empty handed. If
Rondo doesn’t go and neither Davis nor O’Neal can suit up, this game will most
definitely be circled if not pulled off the board entirely. However, if we get any combination of Davis,
Rondo, and Shaq or if the luck of the Irish smiles down upon the Green and
grants them all three, then my money is on the hot team over the tired
team.
Free NBA Pick: Play
the Celtics at home on Wednesday night.