Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics (-10, 205.5)
There are some good games on Friday’s slate, but this one takes the cake.
The Celtics are scary good to start the season, going a perfect 6-0 (4-2 ATS), while the Suns have gotten off on the right foot, going 4-1 (2-3 ATS) in the opening week of the schedule.
Phoenix suffered its first loss, dropping 122-100 to the Orlando Magic Wednesday night. Star forward Amare Stoudemire had a monster game on offense, scoring 25 points while pulling down 14 rebounds. However, the lanky 6-foot-10 power forward had a tough time defending Orlando big man Dwight Howard, who equaled Stoudemire’s 25 points in the victory.
The Suns have struggled to contain opposing frontcourts in recent games, giving up 21 points to Minnesota forward Al Jefferson and 22 points to Clippers center Chris Kaman in Phoenix’s other two ATS blemishes. While the Suns might not miss Shaquille O’Neal’s lumbering frame on offense, they do miss the space he took up on the under the basket on defense.
Now, Amare and the Suns face Boston’s talent-rich frontcourt. Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace can stretch a defense to the point of breaking and are getting solid offensive numbers from center Kendrick Perkins to start the year.
Pick: Over 205.5
Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (-6, 190)
No one saw the Rockets’ offensive outburst coming to start the year. Houston is the 10th most productive team in the NBA and is scoring more than 104 points per game.
Newly acquired Trevor Ariza is leading the charge for Houston, scoring 22 points per game in those four contests. Also chipping in are speedy point guard Aaron Brooks and burly sixth man Carl Landry, who is averaging 13 points off the pine. Even rookie Chase Budinger, who sat out Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers with an ankle injury, is pulling his own weight. He could be back in the lineup against the Thunder Friday night.
In each of the last four games, the Rockets have eclipsed the century mark in points, averaging 109 points in that span. That’s led to four straight over paydays for basketball bettors taking the totals.
Pick: Over 190