NBA Game of the Day | Cavs vs. Celtics - 8pm TNT

By Freddy Wills | February 25, 2010

I saw myself going 4-0-1 ATS and picking up a nifty profit of +9.71 in profit on sports picks yesterday including a huge win on the Mavericks against the Lakers.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (+2.5)

It’s about time.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-14, 28-29-1 ATS) finally won their first game since acquiring Antawn Jamison. The Cavs pulled off a home victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night by winning 105-95.

Jamison had a productive night scoring 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting. He also added six rebounds, and two steals for a compelling performance. He was not the only one scoring, as six Cav players put up double figures including Lebron and Shaq who scored 20 points a piece. It was a balanced attack that got them a win with five players attempting at least 10 shots.

Despite the balanced offensive attack Lebron’s concentration was elsewhere. “We've played some great defense over the course of the year,” LeBron said after the win. “We know in order to win ball games consistently; we have to be good defensively.”

Even the coach said the same thing, “we're definitely not where we want to be right now,” added Coach Mike Brown, whose team just ended a three-game losing streak. “We've got to fight through it.”

Boston’s trade.

The Boston Celtics (36-19, 21-33-1 ATS) also made an acquisition of their own when they traded Eddie House to the New York Knicks for Nate Robinson. Ironically the two teams faced off the next night where Robinson scored four points in 16 minutes as the Celtics won 110-106.

Like the Cavaliers, the Celtics are not happy with their defensive play. The Knicks shot better than 52% from the floor and gave up 28 points and 15 rebounds to the Knicks All-Star, David Lee. The defense will have to be on top of its game on Thursday as Boston will be with out their leading scorer Paul Pierce, who will miss the game due to a thumb injury.

Recent Meetings.

The Cavs and Celtics have met only once this season and it was the first game of the year for both clubs. Boston was +5 under dogs in Cleveland back in October and came away with the six point victory 95-89. The Celtics shot 47.4% from three point range and managed to win despite giving up 38 points to Lebron James.

Both teams are significantly different than they were in the beginning of the season. Injuries and trades all making changes as well as chemistry for the Cavs leading to their leagues best record.

The Celtics must get rolling and need this game for confidence if they are going to have any chance at contending in the playoffs. However, it will be a difficult situation without their leading scorer.

Trending Situations.

Cleveland

• Cavaliers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games. • Cavaliers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. win. • Cavaliers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. • Cavaliers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. • Cavaliers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. • Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. • Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. • Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. • Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall. • Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Atlantic.

Boston

• Celtics are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 Thursday games. • Celtics are 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 home games. • Celtics are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. • Celtics are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a S.U. win. • Celtics are 6-18 ATS in their last 24 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. • Celtics are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall. • Celtics are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. • Celtics are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. • Celtics are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. • Celtics are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Central. • Celtics are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. • Celtics are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. • Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. • Celtics are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Head to Head

• Cavaliers are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Boston. • Cavaliers are 18-7-2 ATS in the last 27 meetings.