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The Celtics vs. Spurs line was set at even, showing just how competitive a game this should be in the NBA Thursday night. Sportsbook.com also featured a total of 187.
The injury-riddled Spurs try to avoid their longest losing streak since the 1996-97 season when they host Boston on Thursday. San Antonio has dropped four straight games overall, and has also lost four consecutive home meetings with the Celtics.
Boston enters Thursday tied with Miami for second place in the East, 2½ games behind Chicago. The Celtics are just 5-7 SU (4-8 ATS) in their past 12 games, including four straight ATS defeats. Help is on the way, however, as Jermaine O’Neal, who hasn’t played since Jan. 10 (missing 36 games), is expected to return to the court Thursday. Boston beat the Spurs 105-103 at home on Jan. 5, as it shot 61.3% from the field. Rajon Rondo posted an impressive triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds and 22 assists, and added six steals against San Antonio. Rondo did not play on Sunday due to a jammed finger on his right hand, but he did return to the court in Monday’s 107-100 loss at Indiana, scoring 22 points and dishing out eight assists. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 23 points and now has scored at least 20 points in four of his past five games, averaging 21.4 PPG on 51.5% FG over that span. Boston has really struggled offensively over its past 10 games, averaging 87.3 PPG, while shooting just 44.9% FG and 29.7% from the three-point line. The Celtics are playing great defense though, holding these 10 opponents to 85.0 PPG on 41.8% FG.
The Spurs’ lead over the Lakers in the West standings is down to just 3½ games following this four-game skid. San Antonio is also a dismal 7-12 ATS (37%) in its past 19 games. Much of this slide coincides with Tim Duncan missing all four defeats with a sprained ankle, but there are other injuries too. Tony Parker (left knee contusion), Manu Ginobili (bruised thigh) and Antonio McDyess (back) all missed Sunday’s 100-92 home loss to Portland. Parker (17.5 PPG, 6.6 APG), Ginobili (17.8 PPG, 5.0 APG) and McDyess (5.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG) are all expected to play Thursday, but Duncan (13.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG) will likely miss his fifth straight game.
