We all know that the Boston Celtics are a very public team and therfore ripe for fading. But they aren't alone in the Atlantic Division as far as the general fade rule goes.
Perhaps they should rename it the NBA Titanic Division. None of the five teams in the Atlantic is profitable right now. Only two of them have winning records, and one is on track to produce the worst season in NBA history – yes, even worse than the 9-73 Philadelphia 76ers from way back in 1972-73. Check SBROdds.com as well for Basketball betting odds.
But don’t ignore this Infamous Five if you want to make a buck or two.
Boston Celtics (32-17 SU, 19-29-1 ATS)
This very popular team had “fade” written all over it going into the new season, and so it has come to pass. Public expectations remain high – the Boston Celtics have moved from 6-1 to 4-1 on the championship futures market – but the performance level has been dragged down by injuries, age, and what Rajon Rondo calls a lack of “continuity and camaraderie.”
The C’s are just 5-7 SU and 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 games, and Paul Pierce (18.63 PER) is playing on an injured foot. Local beat writers are banging the drum for a roster shakeup before the February 18 trade deadline; that pessimism (entirely warranted) will eventually seep into the marketplace, provided Boston keeps underperforming.
Toronto Raptors (28-23 SU, 26-25 ATS)
The Toronto Raptors are the only team in the Atlantic with a winning ATS record, although they still need to cover three more games in a row to reach the magic 52.4-percent mark. Toronto put itself in good position vis-à-vis the betting odds by stumbling out of the gate at 11-17 SU and ATS. But then the offseason changes made by GM Bryan Colangelo started to take shape.
Hedo Turkoglu (13.60 PER) and Jarrett Jack (14.47 PER) are proving themselves useful in support of MVP candidate Chris Bosh (26.44 PER), and former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani (16.52 PER) is developing into a potential All-Star. The big money for the Raptors, though, is on the OVER at 30-20-1. According to John Hollinger’s efficiency stats, Toronto has the No. 2 offense in the league and the No. 30 defense.
Philadelphia 76ers (19-31 SU, 22-28 ATS)
The Sixers would probably still like to take a mulligan on the Elton Brand (17.56 PER) mega-contract, but things are starting to look up in Philadelphia. Brand is now in the offensive flow, Sam Dalembert (16.89 PER) is having his best rebounding season with 15.0 boards per 40 minutes, and the return of prodigal son Allen Iverson (14.34 PER) has put some life into a very thin backcourt.
Philly has won four straight and covered three in a row. But will it last? Arguably the real core of this team has been relegated to the bench: Marreese Speights (20.97 PER), Lou Williams (17.26 PER) and the slumping Thaddeus Young (13.64 PER).
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New York Knicks (19-31 SU, 23-27 ATS)
Oh, those Knicks. Just when you think they’ve turned the page on those nightmare years under Isiah Thomas, they go on a month-long 4-11 SU and 5-10 ATS bender. Coach Mike D’Antoni is still looking for the right combination of players; point guard Nate Robinson (18.65 PER) was given a chance to start a couple of games, but is now reportedly back on the bench behind defensive specialist Chris Duhon (10.61 PER). Duhon has an expiring contract and is one of several Knicks who could be shipped elsewhere by the trade deadline.
New Jersey Nets (4-46 SU, 18-31-1 ATS)
Unbelievable. Everyone knew this would be a rebuilding year for the Nets as they look forward to a possible move to Brooklyn (a move that keeps getting put on the back burner) and a shot at signing LeBron James. But the Nets have also been cut down by injuries, especially to their best player, Devin Harris (15.66 PER). After making the All-Star team last year, Harris has played just 35 games and is currently listed as day-to-day with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder.
But New Jersey may finally have some betting value again at 1-6 SU and 5-1-1 ATS over the past seven games. It’s all about bargain-basement prices; the Nets have gotten at least seven points in 12 of their last 16 games.