Personally, I just feel like Portland has the depth to hang with this Celtics team. They play really well on the road against the east. Coincidentally, Boston has struggled to cover against west coast teams at home this year. Throw in the fact that this game is on espn (it's probably destined to be close) and I like my chances with the blazers at +10. I could easily see them losing, but I think what people fail to recognize is that Portland is one of the best teams in the west. Brandon Roy has really found his touch on this roadtrip. Trav is shooting 50% from 3pt-range and both Blake and Fernandez are above 40%. The bottomline is the blazers have a lot of guys who can come off the bench and play.
Living in Portland and watching this team every night, I think despite the loss of Jarret Jack, this is an improved squad from last year. I really see them most likely losing a close one tonight. I could see this being a letdown game if they were playing back-to-back nights. But with a day of rest, there's no chance this team loses by double digits.
Living in Portland and watching this team every night, I think despite the loss of Jarret Jack, this is an improved squad from last year. I really see them most likely losing a close one tonight. I could see this being a letdown game if they were playing back-to-back nights. But with a day of rest, there's no chance this team loses by double digits.
Give me a break...
Boston has played TWO.. yes TWO games at home against west coast teams this year. How can you say they have struggled because of two games?
And they are also 3-2 ATS against west coast teams this year.
And Portland plays really well on the road against the east? Thats good and all... going 5-0 su against east coast teams on the road, but washington and ny knicks are not exactly the celtics.
Celtics have covered the last 7 matchups between the two teams... And Portland has won 8 in a row, but looking at the schedule, their was only one game that would be considered impressive, and even thats pushing it... winning at a mediocre detroit team.
Celtics roll....
What about Orlando, Detroit, and a much-improved Miami team?
I will admit the Celtics are 0-2 ATS at home against west coast teams. And Yes, that is not exactly a large sample size. However, I do think it says something that the celtics lost to the nuggets at home and also failed to cover against a mediocre golden st. team.
Yeah, but the team dynamic has changed since 2007. Before that, Zach Randolph was the center piece. Sure, the celtics covered twice against the blazers last year. But the roster was completely different previous to 2007.
One of the reasons I bought the two points up to +10 was that the blazers lost by 10 at the garden last year. I really think they will improve on that this season because they have progressed significantly from that point last season.
