Mark's Free Pick NBA Basketball Pick Against The Spread Washington Wizards-Boston Celtics: 2/1/10

Written by Mark | 01 February 2010

NBA Basketball 2/1/10
Boston Celtics (29-16)-Washington Wizards (16-30)

By Mark-Monday, Febuary 1st 2010 7 PM EST
Line-Boston-5

The Celtics look to break out of their after Christmas funk when they hit the road to take on the Wizards in DC. Boston comes in after a disheartening 90-89 loss to the Lakers on a Kobe Bryant jumper with seven seconds left to grab the win. It was the third straight loss for the Celtics who have been on a slide since Christmas. Their league best defense couldn't get a stop down the stretch as the Lakers took the 4th quarter and the game with a 24-16 scoring edge. Even though the Celtics defense didn't stop Los Angeles late, their offense looked out of synch for stretches and only found the nylon for 16 points in the final 12 minutes. HC Doc Rivers claimed the team was slow offensively and I say they were slow, missed too many shots and looked nothing like the top gun in the Atlantic. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with a 21 point 12 assist effort while Paul Pierce added 15.

Washington hasn't won all the much this season but are currently riding a modest two game win streak after a 106-96 win over the Knicks on Saturday. With Gilbert Arenas suspended for the rest of the year, Washington loses their best offensive weapon which they should be accustomed too with the time he seems to miss with injuries. Much of the scoring burden lies on the shoulders of Atawn Jamison who is a capable scorer as his 21.5 point average says but he is also the team's second best rebounder with nine. Caron Butler becomes the number two option as the Wizards life with out Arenas shifts in to another gear. Trade rumours flourish about potential suitors for Jamison but nothing has come of it yet so Washington might be shifting gears yet again.

There are plenty of interesting side notes for this game as Boston's problems focus mainly on execution and on court issues while the Wizards are saddled with numerous off court distractions that obviously effect the team when they hit the hardwood.

Boston is 2-8 ATS in the last 10 as a road favorite of 5-10.5 points, 0-5 against the number in the past 5 as a favorite but are 16-8 on the road this year and have beaten Washington four times in a row. The Wizards are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 as a home underdog of 5-10.5 points and 7-3-1 against the number in the past 11 as an underdog of 5-10.5 points but just 9-15 at home.

It could be dangerous backing the Celtics until they right the ship and get Kevin Garnett back to 100% but this could also be a spot where they start to get turned around against a team they've had success against.