What better way to spend your Friday night with two NBA games that’ll surely take you on a roller-coaster ride.
Our first game features James Harden and the rest of the Houston Rockets (32-32) traveling to the TD Garden for their final regular-season encounter with the Boston Celtics (39-26). Following shortly, the up-and-coming Minnesota Timberwolves (20-45) go on the road as well for a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder (43-20).
[sc:NBA250 ]Let’s now take a brief look at these two promising matchups. And while you’re doing so, check out our other previews for: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 PM ET)
Line: Houston Rockets (+6.5) vs. Boston Celtics (-6.5); total: 222.0 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA250 ]After starting their five-game road trip on the wrong foot, the Rockets seem to have relocated their rhythm as they head into this matchup as winners of back-to-back games. James Harden has been simply phenomenal during that brief two-game stretch, averaging 34.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 11.0 assists.
But he might need help from his teammates this time around because the Celtics haven’t really been his favorite opponents. Across 13 career games versus Boston, Harden is only putting up 14.1 points on 37.1 percent shooting.
As for the Celtics, they march into this bout coming off a dominant 20-point victory over the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. In that game, four starters scored in double-digits and it was none other than Isaiah Thomas who led the way with 22 points and five dimes. Thomas, who is posting 21.8 points and 6.7 assists this season, will look to guide the Celtics once again when the Rockets come to town.
Houston is 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games on the road. Boston, meanwhile, is undefeated and 8-2 ATS in its previous 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston (-6.5) wins it, 104-96.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Minnesota Timberwolves (+13) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-13); total: 223.5 – view all NBA lines
The month of March hasn’t been kind to Minnesota at all. The Timberwolves have only won once in its first five games thus far. Their most recent loss came at the hands of the mighty Spurs, who trampled them on Tuesday night by 25 points. But what’s done is done and the Timberwolves need to focus on their final showdown with the Thunder this season.
Expect Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach Lavine to lead the attack for Minnesota. All three have been playing well lately and Wiggins, in particular, heads into Chesapeake Energy Arena averaging 24.7 points on 57.7 percent shooting in his past three contests. He’ll be testing an Oklahoma City defense that’s allowing 100.0 points at home.
The Thunder, meanwhile, will continue to put their trust on their dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The two have been playing out of their minds this season, tallying 28.1 and 24.1 points, respectively. They are bound to have another huge offensive performance opposite a Minnesota defense that’s yielding 114.0 points in its last three games.
Minnesota is 2-8 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 road games. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, is 7-3 SU and 5-3-2 ATS in its previous 10 game at home.
Writer’s Prediction
OKC (-13) wins this one, 112-100.
Create a betting account now, and don’t miss to bet on these two must-see matchups.
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