The set-up: Portland is rolling. It's won four straight, including three straight on the road after the All Star break. The Blazers are going to be out to push the pace from start to finish tonight to try and take advantage of what they'll believe to be a "tired" Celtics team, which enters off a listless loss in Toronto just last night. But the Celtics can ill afford to look past the Blazers today or take anything for granted as they've been struggling of late and they'll be desperate to break the slide. From a situational stand point I absolutely believe this one sets up as a shootout.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Portland has seen the total go "over" the number in 16 of 20 already this year after a non-conference game, while Boston has seen the total go "over" in 20 of 31 home games already this season. This number is a little low, play the "over."

8* play