Sunday's Best NBA Bets
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors
Despite their rivalries with the Lakers, Heat and Magic, the Boston Celtics’ toughest foe is time.
The aging Celtics are starting to lose that fight, playing without veteran forward Kevin Garnett for at least the next two weeks due to a calf injury. Boston is also still waiting on point Rajon Rondo, who isn’t expected to come back from an ankle injury this weekend.
While these key cogs are out, the Celtics have stumbled to fill those holes, losing three of their past four outings including an 83-81 defeat to the New Orleans Hornets as 4.5-point home favorites on New Year’s Eve.
“For right now, because of what we’re going through, there is no rotation,” head coach Doc Rivers told the Boston Herald following Friday’s loss.
Boston struggled to find any rhythm on offense and turned the ball over 19 times to the Hornets. The Celtics are averaging just 86.5 points during the last four contests – 12.5 points fewer than their season scoring average.
"Regardless of the injuries, we've still got to show up and play," Boston small forward Paul Pierce told reporters. "There's no moral victories. It was a game of ups and downs. We just didn't play consistent basketball."
The Celtics have historically had success against the Raptors, however, they have gone 1-1 in their last two meetings, going 0-1-1 against the spread.
Pick: Toronto
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers
The defending NBA champs are slowly getting over the Christmas Day hangover with back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles’ offense is picking up the pace, breaking the century mark on the scoreboard in both victories after averaging only 80.3 points during its three-game slide. Much of that slide had to do with poor performances from star guard Kobe Bryant, who snapped that funk with a 33-point showing versus the Sixers on New Year’s Eve.
Bryant, who averaged 18 points in the six games heading into Friday, dropped 10 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter including two key buckets down the stretch with Philadelphia making a late push.
"He's one of the best, if not the best, player as far as closing out games," forward Pau Gasol told the Los Angeles Times of Bryant. "We trust that he can deliver."
The Lakers look to keep the momentum rolling into Sunday. They fell 98-86 to Memphis as 5.5-point road favorites back in November but have won four straight at home over the Grizzlies, going 3-1 against the spread in those games.
Pick: Los Angeles