Trail Blazers Seek Revenge vs. Celtics

Trail Blazers vs Celtics

Portland Staying the Course Despite Lillard’s Absence

The Portland Trail Blazers fell to 2-2 on their six-game trip with a 104-92 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers were a nine-point underdog when betting online. Portland led 80-78 after three quarters and quickly built the lead to four. The Trail Blazers, though, lost the lead for good midway through the final period and the cover was gone for good with 2 minutes, 3 seconds remaining. The 211 total was not approached, although over players had reason for optimism with Portland trailing 58-56 at halftime.

The Trail Blazers have managed to go 5-4 without leading scorer Damon Lillard, who hasn’t played since Dec. 31 and underwent surgery to repair a core injury that caused constant abdominal pain. Portland will lean on CJ McCollum to pick up the slack. McCollum has totaled 40 points in two games since missing 18 due to a collapsed lung.

Celtics Hope to Get Smart – And Their Mojo – Back

The Boston Celtics were cruising along on a four-game homestand with two victories under their belt before throwing in a clunker against the Charlotte Hornets. The Celtics, as three-point favorites in the Las Vegas odds, lost 111-102. The Hornets were covering for good with 21.2 seconds left in the first quarter. Under players were in good shape with the 222½ total when Boston trailed 86-74 after three.

The Celtics aren’t immune to injury as Marcus Smart (thigh) is questionable against the Portland Trail Blazers. Smart, who is the club’s top defender and assist man, has missed the last five games. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 10 and Smart is among those expected to draw interest. The Celtics could make a move for the future seeing as the present doesn’t look promising. Only one of Boston’s last five games has been decided by eight points or fewer.

Betting on Boston Could Be Beneficial to Bean Counting

The Portland Trail Blazers had Lillard, but were without McCollum, for their loss to the Boston Celtics last month. The Celtics were a one-point favorite in that one while the 211½ total didn’t come close to withstanding Boston’s offensive onslaught. The clubs have split the last five meetings against the spread (2-2-1) with all those games going over. The Trail Blazers are 17-26-1 ATS while the Celtics are 22-23-1. Each of their last two games have stayed under.

The Celtics are a large 8½-point choice Friday in the broader betting markets and a whopping -340 on the money line with Portland +280. The total is sitting at 212. Boston’s homestand started well enough with victories over the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans, splitting those ATS. After absorbing a pothole against the Hornets, the NBA free picks suggest that Celtics are poised to bounce back with a big effort against the road-weary Trail Blazers, who are 4-15 away from home.

Pick: Boston Celtics -8½