NBA Betting – Los Angeles Clippers vs. Boston Celtics

The Celtics received a boost this weekend with Kevin Garnett returned to the lineup to help them survive against the Blazers. With the return of KG, the Celtics are hoping that everything will return to normal and will have their Big Ticket receive a big test against Chris Kaman. And yes, I’m totally serious about that last sentence. Kaman is on a bit of a vengeance tour after being unceremoniously snubbed from the All-Star game.

After being given a serious run by the Blazers over the weekend, who were without Brandon Roy, it’s not unrealistic to think a punchy Clippers team can cover this game. But will they?

Getting back to Kaman, who’s just a 6 year veteran though he looks like he was fighting back during the mythical age of ogres and demons, the fact that fans ignored his play this season is a Chris Brown level slap in the face. The big man is averaging a 20-10 this season, and his return to the floor has actually stabilized the Clippers.

For those of you who have kept the Clippers off your pro NBA betting radar this season, they’re 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against Boston.

One of the main reasons that the Clippers have been faltering late in games is that point guard Baron Davis is running out of fuel before games are running out of time. He also has had trouble breaking down defenses by driving the line like a bull dozer like we’re used to seeing. Coming of an injury riddled season last year, and with 10 years of NBA mileage on his legs, it’s somewhat expected for Davis to slow down. Getting matched up against the young and ruthless Rajon Rondo tonight won’t make matters easy for Baron.

Los Angeles Clippers (20-23) vs. Boston Celtics (28-13) >> Join Now to Bet!
Monday, January 25th — TD Garden, Boston — 7:30pm EST
NBA Betting Line: Boston -11.5 (190)

The Celtics failed to cover a big spread against Portland over the weekend and could very well face challenges against the Clippers, especially if shooting guard Eric Gordon returns to the lineup tonight. That’s an injury you absolutely have to track in to this evening before tip-off. With Gordon, the Clippers have the scoring capability to keep the Celtics challenged.

Naturally what we’re expecting from the Celtics tonight is for KG’s return to amp up their defense. While they still are technically one of the best defenses with 93.8 points allowed per game this season, Garnett will be counted on to contain the technically sound Kaman and the resurgent Marcus Camby. Even for a front court that boasts Rasheed, Perkins and Garnett, that will be a tough challenge for Boston.

The Clippers are not a championship contending team, and likely won’t be until they see what Blake Griffin is capable of at the pro level, but hey are definitely a team that is serving their notice to the league. They’ll put themselves even more emphatically on the betting map of the gambling community by covering against the Celtics. Even with Eric Gordon on the bench, the slump of Ray Allen is enough for me to question the scoring capability of the Celtics. With Gordon, this is a lock.

Furious Free Pick: LAC +11.5 (UNDER)