Celtics Favored Over 76ers As NBA’s Unofficial First Half Winds Down
The Boston Celtics might be pegged as 200-1 longshots in NBA futures betting at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com, but they will enter the weekend just 2 1/2 games back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics tip off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night with a record of 18-30 after posting a pair of SU and ATS wins this week over the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets. The wins ended a three-game SU losing streak and mark just the second time since mid-December that the club has posted back-to back victories.
Boston is expected to be the favorite for Friday night?s Sixers vs. Celtics betting matchup at TD Garden. The game is the third of the season between the Atlantic Division rivals, with the Celtics posting a pair of SU wins over the 11-39 76ers, covering as favorites at the sportsbooks.
The Celtics travel to Milwaukee on Saturday to face the 27-22 Bucks, who enter Thursday?s action riding a five-game SU win streak.
In NHL action, the Boston Bruins struggled to rejoin the Eastern Conference playoff race following a slow start but enter the weekend solidly positioned as the No. 2 wild card while maintaining strong 10-1 odds in Stanley Cup futures betting at the sportsbooks.
Following their disappointing 3-2 loss to the Rangers in New York on Wednesday night, the B?s remain in fourth place, eight points back of the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL?s Atlantic Division, but are deadlocked with the Bolts and Pittsburgh Penguins as 5-1 favorites to emerge as Eastern Conference champions for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.
The Bruins hit the ice again Saturday against New York Islanders before facing off Sunday against their longtime rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.
In college basketball action, the Boston College Eagles continued to struggle this week, dropping a 71-63 decision Wednesday night to No. 10 Notre Dame. That loss dropped BC’s record against ACC rivals to a dismal 1-8. However, the Eagles continued to reward bettors, covering as 12.5-point underdogs against the Irish on the college basketball odds and improving to 7-2 ATS in their last nine outings.
The Eagles face another tough test this weekend when they take on No. 12 North Carolina. The Tar Heels have lost two straight, SU and ATS, but have enjoyed success against the Eagles, going 5-0 SU (but just 2-3 ATS) in their last five against Boston College.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
