PREMIUM
*10* TOTAL DOMINATION >> Won 3 STRAIGHT in NBA!
(NBA) Boston vs. Minnesota,
Total: 214.00 | -104.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 214.00 | -104.00 Under
Result: Win
The set-up: The Boston Celtics are 5-1 since the All-Star break but will enter Thursday's action trailing first-place Toronto by 2 1/2 games in the Eastern Conference. Boston wraps up its three-game road swing tonight in Minnesota against the Timberwolves and Kyrie Irving (24.8 & 5.1 APG), who missed Monday's contest against the Bulls due to a sore left knee, was able to go through 75 percent of Wednesday's practice. Reports now are that he will play. Irving is averaging 25.1 points, 6.0 assists and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 51.3 percent from the floor and 44.1 percent from three-point range over his last nine games. The T-wolves know all about being without an All Star performer, as Jimmy Butler (22.2-5.4-5.0) underwent successful meniscus surgery on his right knee and is considered out indefinitely. Minnesota won the first two games without him but has since suffered back-to-back road losses to fellow playoff contenders Portland and Utah.
Boston: The 45-20 Celtics rolled over the Chicago Bulls 105-89 without Kyrie. Jaylen Brown (14.1 & 5.2) scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting against the Bulls, while Shane Larkin stepped into the starting lineup in Irving's place and went 3-for-3 from three-point range in 16 minutes. Forward Al Horford chipped in 13 points while shooting 6-of-8 from the floor after going 13-of-42 in the first five games out of the All-Star break. Horford has been Boston's "unsung hero" this season, averaging 12.8-7.5-4.9. Boston's defense has kept the team at or near the top in the East this year, despite losing prized free agent Gordon Hayward in the season's first game. Boston is allowing 100.1 PPG (2nd), while holding opponents to 43.5% shooting, as well as 33.9% on threes (both rank 1st in the NBA!).
Minnesota: Already short-handed with Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns (20.4 & 12.2) and PG Jeff Teague (13.7 & 6.9 APG) were both lost to ejections in a 116-108 road loss to the Jazz on Friday. However, Minnesota is back at home (25-7 SU on the season at the Target Center) and also gets a full five days of rest following the loss to Utah. The 38-28 Timberwolves enter play on Thursday sixth in the West, just 1 1/2 games out of third place but also just 2 1/2 up on the eighth-place LA Clippers. Minnesota is relying on its starting unit as much as ever since losing Butler, who is irreplaceable. Forward Nemanja Bjelica (6.1 & 3.5) has moved into the starting lineup and he is averaging 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game
The pick: The Timberwolves are 25-7 SU at home but the Celtics are 21-9 SU & ATS on the road, a record bettered by only the Rockets and Warriors. Boston's offense has averaged 114 points per 100 possessions with Irving since the All Star break plus Minnesota has gone over in nine of its last 11 games. Make the Over a 10* play.
Boston: The 45-20 Celtics rolled over the Chicago Bulls 105-89 without Kyrie. Jaylen Brown (14.1 & 5.2) scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting against the Bulls, while Shane Larkin stepped into the starting lineup in Irving's place and went 3-for-3 from three-point range in 16 minutes. Forward Al Horford chipped in 13 points while shooting 6-of-8 from the floor after going 13-of-42 in the first five games out of the All-Star break. Horford has been Boston's "unsung hero" this season, averaging 12.8-7.5-4.9. Boston's defense has kept the team at or near the top in the East this year, despite losing prized free agent Gordon Hayward in the season's first game. Boston is allowing 100.1 PPG (2nd), while holding opponents to 43.5% shooting, as well as 33.9% on threes (both rank 1st in the NBA!).
Minnesota: Already short-handed with Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns (20.4 & 12.2) and PG Jeff Teague (13.7 & 6.9 APG) were both lost to ejections in a 116-108 road loss to the Jazz on Friday. However, Minnesota is back at home (25-7 SU on the season at the Target Center) and also gets a full five days of rest following the loss to Utah. The 38-28 Timberwolves enter play on Thursday sixth in the West, just 1 1/2 games out of third place but also just 2 1/2 up on the eighth-place LA Clippers. Minnesota is relying on its starting unit as much as ever since losing Butler, who is irreplaceable. Forward Nemanja Bjelica (6.1 & 3.5) has moved into the starting lineup and he is averaging 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game
The pick: The Timberwolves are 25-7 SU at home but the Celtics are 21-9 SU & ATS on the road, a record bettered by only the Rockets and Warriors. Boston's offense has averaged 114 points per 100 possessions with Irving since the All Star break plus Minnesota has gone over in nine of its last 11 games. Make the Over a 10* play.
