This weekend’s online betting look at the Eastern Conference features a few teams going in different directions. One is led by the reigning MVP and figures to battle for the conference title, another is a veteran team looking to make one final stand, there is a team that many think will be an up-and-comer and another team that….well, they’re in rebuilding mode. Finally, one of the league’s best point guards returns to the place he was drafted and then traded from among controversy last season.
Pacers Raptors Betting – Friday, 7:00 PM ET
These two have a little rivalry going on dating back to a game last year in which the Raptors broke an unwritten rule and tried to score with under 10 seconds left to get to 100, which got their fans a free slice of pizza. The Pacers may be slight underdogs in Toronto, where they are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five, but that win came in their second game of the season. Both will have Thursday off, so fatigue shouldn’t be an issue. Look for the Raptors to gain a small measure of revenge for the loss in late December.
Betting Pick: Toronto Raptors
Bulls Celtics Betting – Friday, 8:00 PM ET
Boston will be favored at home, and they’re 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS at the TD Banknorth Garden over the Bulls in their last five meetings. This will be the end of a five-game homestand for the Celtics, who look old and when you look at their nucleus, they are, outside of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, who isn’t playing like he is 36 years old. The Bulls have to improve their play away from the United Center, but this look like a game where they can break through in Boston. They even have their own facsimile of Allen in Richard Hamilton, although he was doubtful for Wednesday’s game at home against Washington.
Betting Pick: Chicago Bulls
Celtics Pacers Betting – Saturday, 7:00 PM ET
The Celtics then turn around and head to Indiana, where they should be the NBA betting underdogs against the Pacers, who have Celtic legend Larry Bird as their president of basketball operations. The Pacers are 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five at home against the Celtics, and these are games that the Pacers have to win if they want to gain respect in the league. Some really think that the Pacers have a chance to elbow their way into the first five seeds of the Eastern Conference, but they’ll have to go through Boston, and we’re not sure that the Celtics legs will hold up in the second half of back-to-back games.
Betting Pick: Indiana Pacers
Raptors Bulls Betting – Saturday, 8:00 PM ET
The Bulls will definitely be the NBA betting favorite in this contest at home, but the Raptors are 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five trips to the Windy City and they should be able to combat fatigue as they have a young squad. This is going to be a closer game than you think as the Bulls should have their hands full with the Celtics on Friday night, and that could cause them to come out flat against the Raptors early, so don’t be surprised to see the Raptors take a lead into the locker room at halftime. However, the Raptors still don’t know how to win against good teams (yes, we’re looking at you, New York) and the Bulls should be able to make a run in the second half and squeeze out a victory.
Betting Pick: Chicago Bulls
Nets Jazz Betting – Saturday, 9:00 PM ET
Only one of these teams come from the Eastern Conference, but the Nets’ trip to Utah is significant for one reason: Deron Williams was drafted by the Jazz and led them to the playoffs in four of his five seasons. Then, he was at the heart of a spat that lead to Jerry Sloan stepping down after 23 years as their head coach and finally, he was traded to New Jersey, where the Nets are trying to nail him down long-term. The Nets are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five trips to Utah, but that is obviously skewed as Williams was playing for the other team. The Jazz had won four in a row ahead of Wednesday’s trip from the Lakers, while this will be the third in a four-game road trip for the Nets, who will get a monster night from Williams (who will be booed loudly from the introductions to the final whistle), but Utah will protect their home court for a sports betting win.
free sports picks: Utah Jazz