Looking for some exciting basketball action? Well tonight’s your lucky night as we’ve got a pair of NBA games that will definitely tickle your hoops fancy. Kicking things off this evening is the much-anticipated clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Following shortly thereafter is the Western Conference showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers. Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two games and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Spurs vs. Lakers and Grizzlies vs. Thunder.
The Boston Celtics will head to their showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers with momentum on their side after beating the New York Knicks in emphatic fashion Sunday. Isaiah Thomas scored 19 points in just 24 minutes to help the Celtics record their first 50-win season since going 56-26 in 2010-11. Thomas has been a vital cog in Boston’s success this season, leading the team not only in scoring (29.1 PPG) but also in assists (5.9 APG) as well.
The Celtics will need more of the same from Thomas if they are to beat the Cavs tonight. Boston and Cleveland are locked in a tight battle for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, with both teams carding similar 50-27 records. Thomas has been immense against the Cavs this season, averaging 30.7 points and 6.7 assists in three meetings with the defending champions. He will be licking his chops at the prospect of facing a Cleveland side that is 1-9 on the road on the second night of back-to-backs this season.
The Cavs are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four road games against the Celtics.
The Los Angeles Clippers stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a commanding 115-104 victory over the hapless Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Blake Griffin scored a game-high 36 points for the Clippers who moved to within a half-game of the Utah Jazz for the No. 4 playoff seed in the West. They will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Dallas Mavericks tonight.
The Clippers will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well at home of late. The Clippers have won five of their last six games at Staples Center. The Mavs know fully well the challenge LA brings on their home floor as they have lost seven of their last nine games there. The Mavs will take comfort in the fact, however, that they beat the Clippers in each of their last two meetings. Both of those victories were narrow two-point wins so expect another exciting contest between these two Western Conference protagonists.
The Clippers are 3-1 ATS in their last four home games against the Mavs.
Writer’s Prediction
LA (-11.5) not only wins but also covers the spread against Dallas.
