NBA Bettors finally settle on Celtics after line moves

Apr 14, 2008 / By Nick Bailey

It took awhile, but NBA Basketball betting fans finally decided they like the Boston Celtics to cover the spread against the New York Knicks Monday night.

The point spread opened at 9 Monday morning at online sportsbooks, like Sportsbetting.com, but slowly dropped to 5½ after bettors picked New York to beat the spread. Then, money starting coming in on the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics and the spread moved back up to 7½.

About 69 per cent of bets on the game had been placed on Boston, according to public betting information.   

Over the past 10 head-to-head matchups, the Celtics have won eight, including their last meeting on Feb. 13 when Boston won 111-103 at home.

On Saturday, the Celtics (64-16 SU, 50-28-2 ATS) dominated the fourth quarter to earn a 99-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks as a 3-point road underdog. The score went under the total of 193.5. Kevin Garnett tossed in 24 points with six rebounds and four assists. Sam Cassell chipped in with 20 points in the win.

New York (23-57 SU, 37-42-1 ATS) faced the Hawks the previous night, losing 116-104 despite Jamal Crawford’s 20 points. The Hawks managed to cover the 6-point spread on the road and the score went over the total 209½.

Boston is 5-0 SU and ATS in the past five meetings overall, and 5-0 SU in the past five meetings in New York. Boston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games.
 
The total has gone over in eight of New York's past 10 overall and at home. The total has gone over in four of the past five meetings in New York.

Tip-off is at 7:30 pm ET and can be seen on NBALP.

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