Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs
The Celtics are starting to get their swagger back. The 2008 champs are 5-0 over their last five games and have covered the spread in each of the last three.
The ATS success is linked to the increased production from Kevin Garnett. The longtime All-Star is the team barometer, when he’s playing well, so are his teammates.
Since KG hit the winning jumper against the Knicks two weeks ago, he’s gained more confidence offensively. He’s averaging 18.3 points over the last four games and has missed just five of his 27 shots from the field over the stretch.
“Physically I feel really, really good,” Garnett told the Boston Globe. “But you all have no idea of the [stuff] I go through to come in here and be Grade B, Grade A. So I’m a work in progress.”
The Big Ticket was slow coming back from last season’s knee injury. Playing against Tim Duncan should be a good measuring stick of how far KG has come along.
Even if the Spurs can slow down Garnett, they’ll still have to deal with Rasheed Wallace off the pine.
Pick: Celtics
Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
In the run of an 82-game season coaches will tell you there are some games that are good losses. Nuggets coach George Karl got one Sunday when his club fell to the woeful Wolves.
Denver played poorly the game prior, but still managed to sneak out a home win against the Knicks. Karl used the embarrassing loss to Minnesota as an opportunity to rip into his players.
“The playing-hard thing is driving me crazy. Tell me my play-hard (lineup), tell me five guys I can put on the court to play hard every possession?” Karl yelled at reporters after the game. “I had it last year. I don’t have a play-hard team this year, and it’s making me very angry.”
Carmelo Anthony and Co. got the message. The Nuggets blew away the Warriors the following night and should be equally motivated Thursday against the visiting Heat.
Pick: Nuggets
