The injury plagued San Antonio Spurs host the struggling Boston Celtics, Thursday March 31, as the Celtics look to catch No.1 seed Chicago. The Celtics lead the Spurs 3-2 SU in their last five meetings and have won two in a row in San Antonio. NBA oddsmakers have the Spurs as -1.5 point home favorites over the Celtics with the over/under set at 187 points. Be sure to check the Celtics vs Spurs NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Boston (51-22) (22-14 V) has won five of their last ten games and have won three of their last five on the road. The Celtics sit tied for second in the East and have fallen 2.5 games behind Chicago for the East lead. The Celtics have lost three of four and seven of 12, including a 107-100 defeat at Indiana on Monday. Boston gave up 42 points in the paint and failed to outrebound the opposition for a fourth consecutive game as it continues to play without injured big men Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal. Rajon Rondo did play after missing Sunday's game against Minnesota with a jammed finger on his right hand, finishing with 22 points and eight assists. He had averaged 5.8 points on 29.2 percent shooting in his previous eight games. With depth a concern for Boston, fatigue could be an issue. They were outscored 26-15 in the fourth quarter Monday and by an average of 26.3 to 15.7 in their last three losses. Garnett did not play against the Spurs in January, but Boston shot 61.3 percent. Ray Allen scored 31 points while Rondo had 22 assists, 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Celtics have won six of the last eight meetings.
San Antonio (57-17) (33-4 H) have lost five of their last ten, but have won four of their last five on home court. The Spurs still lead the West but is struggling to hold off the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas. The Spurs had a seven-game lead over Los Angeles on March 21, but that margin has been cut in half because they've lost a season-high four in a row. They suffered a 100-92 loss to Portland on Monday, due to injuries. Tim Duncan has missed all four of the losses with a sprained ankle and the Spurs' injury woes worsened earlier this week. They were without Tony Parker (left knee contusion), Manu Ginobili (bruised thigh) and Antonio McDyess (back). Parker is considered the most likely of the Spurs' injured players to return tonight, though McDyess also has a chance to play. Ginobili, injured in Sunday's loss at Memphis, said he was feeling "much better" on Monday, but his status and Duncan's are unknown.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Celtics are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in San Antonio.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in San Antonio.
Underdog is 9-0 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Road team is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Celtics are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog.
Spurs are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Celtics vs Spurs
When: Thursday, March 31, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Celtics +1.5
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Celtics vs Spurs game.
The Bottom Line: The Spurs injuries will hold them back from winning. Be sure to check Celtics vs Spurs Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
