Boston made a couple of huge moves in the off-season which could lead the Celtics past the Nets and Raptors in the NBA's weakest division. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2006/07 season are in parentheses:
BOSTON CELTICS (24-58 SU, 41-38-3 ATS, 40-42 O/U): Adding power forward Kevin Garnett (22.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG) and shooting guard Ray Allen (26.4 PPG) to the talents of G/F Paul Pierce (25.0 PPG) gives the Celtics three of the top 15 or 20 players in the league and makes Boston the team to beat in the division. But the Celtics will need to develop someone in the post and at point guard where the club is dangerously thin. Center Kendrick Perkins commits as many fouls as he scores points so top draft choice Glen "Big Baby" Davis will get a look. Rajon Rondo hardly inspires confidence at the point.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 4-12
Home Underdog: 9-15-1
Away Favorite: 1-1
Away Underdog: 27-10-2
Sportsbook Buster: The "under" is 16-4 ATS the past 20 games that the Celtics have been favored by eight or more points.
Sports Betting Angle: Boston was 14-5-1 ATS playing on zero days rest, last season.
NEW JERSEY NETS (47-47 SU, 48-43-3 ATS, 45-48-1 O/U): As evidenced by his leadership in directing the USA squad to the Gold Medal in the Olympic qualifying round last summer, PG Jason Kidd doesn't have to score a point to have a huge influence. Kidd (13.0 PPG, 9.2 APG, 8.2 RPG) will distribute the ball to G Vince Carter (25.2 PPG), F Richard Jefferson (16.3 PPG) and C Nenad Krstic (16.4 PPG). Jason Collins, Bostjan Nachbar, Marcus Williams and newcomer Sean Williams will challenge for playing time on a team with legitimate playoff aspirations.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 22-18
Home Underdog: 2-5
Away Favorite: 7-4
Away Underdog: 17-16-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Nets are just 8-19 ATS in their last 27 home games in November.
Sports Betting Angle: New Jersey has covered 14 of its last 20 games against Cleveland.
TORONTO RAPTORS (49-39 SU, 49-37-2 ATS, 38-50 O/U): The Raptors won 20 more games last season than the previous campaign, claiming the Atlantic Division title and their first playoff berth in five years. Toronto is still young but with the likes of F Chris Bosh (22.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG), PG T.J. Ford (14.0 PPG, 7.9 APG), GF Anthony Parker (12.4 PPG), F Andrea Bargnani (11.6 PPG) and four more players who averaged at least eight PPG, is deeper than any team in the division. Expectations are higher but the Raptors still should battle the Celtics and Nets for Atlantic supremacy.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 17-15-2
Home Underdog: 6-3
Away Favorite: 7-2
Away Underdog: 18-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Raptors are 3-14 ATS their last 17 games versus the Bulls.
Sports Betting Angle: Twelve of Toronto's last 15 games with Atlanta have gone "over."
NEW YORK KNICKS (33-49 SU, 39-42-1 ATS, 40-42 O/U): PF Zach Randolph (23.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG), acquired from Portland, bolsters a front line that includes C Eddie Curry (19.5 PPG), F Quentin Richardson (13.0 PPG) and valuable sixth man David Lee (.600 shooting and a tough rebounder) but the backcourt of Stephon Marbury (16.4 PPG) and Jamal Crawford (17.6 PPG) lacks a true point guard. This looks like a case where the parts are better than the whole.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-10
Home Underdog: 10-12
Away Favorite: 0-1
Away Underdog: 20-19-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Knicks have covered just one of their last eight games against the Timberwolves.
Sports Betting Angle: New York is 10-21-1 ATS following a SU victory.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (35-47 SU, 42-35-5 ATS, 39-39-4 O/U): With an absence of star power and so much youth, the Sixers appear doomed for the Atlantic Division cellar. G/F Andre Iguodala (18.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.7 APG) heads a workmanlike group that also includes F Kyle Korver (14.4 PPG), G Andre Miller (13.4 PPG) and C Samuel Dalembert (10.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG).
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-6-3
Home Underdog: 9-12-1
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 24-15-1
Sportsbook Buster: Philadelphia has covered just three of its last 11 games with Charlotte.
Sports Betting Angle: The Sixers are 10-3 ATS with no days rest going from home to the road.
This is the first of six NBA betting previews.
Next: The Eastern Conference's Central Division.
This article was written by Luken Karel for
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