Sunday's best NBA bets
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors (-1, 198)
There is still a large gap between the Celtics and the Raptors in the Atlantic Division. But the way Toronto is playing, Boston has to feel the hot breath of the Dinos on its neck.
The Raptors won their third straight game and eighth in their last nine contests against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night. Toronto battled back from an 11-point second-half deficit to win 108-106 as a 2-point road underdog. The victory was also the team?s seventh cover in those last nine games.
All-Star forward Chris Bosh came up big, completing a 3-point play in the final seconds to give the Raptors the win. Bosh, who finished with 29 points, was under fire from his coach, Jay Triano, heading into Friday. Triano pointed out to reporters Bosh?s inconsistent efforts, specifically his 18-point showing against the Orlando Magic earlier in the week.
"I think he was a little bit bound and determined to get the ball there," Triano told reporters of Bosh?s game-winning play. "We'd gone away from him on a couple of previous plays and he had asked for the ball. But I just didn't want to play our hand too soon."
Toronto's lone blemish during this stretch was a 103-96 loss to the Celtics in Boston last weekend. The Raptors are thirsty for another crack at the division leaders, especially at home where they are 12-5 this season, covering in 10 of those games.
Pick: Raptors
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Clippers (-1.5, 194)
With the Lakers losing back-to-back games, the hottest team in La-La Land doesn?t sport the purple and gold.
The Clippers are riding a three-game winning streak, getting their most recent win at the expense of their STAPLES Center roommates Wednesday. They face the Heat at home Sunday, where they have won five games in a row.
?This is a very important stretch for us and we need to come out and have a sense of urgency," Clippers forward Craig Smith told reporters.
The team?s defense has been behind this winning run, allowing just under 92 points per game during those five home contests. The Clippers held the Lakers to 38 percent shooting after watching opponents hit shots at more than 45 percent and score more than 98 points per game this season.
"We're right there in that position; we can't really afford to come off these big wins and fall back with a tough loss," Smith said. "We've got to keep building, keep climbing the ladder. That's what it felt like in practice today, that guys are ready to take the next step."
Pick: Clippers
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors (-1, 198)
There is still a large gap between the Celtics and the Raptors in the Atlantic Division. But the way Toronto is playing, Boston has to feel the hot breath of the Dinos on its neck.
The Raptors won their third straight game and eighth in their last nine contests against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night. Toronto battled back from an 11-point second-half deficit to win 108-106 as a 2-point road underdog. The victory was also the team?s seventh cover in those last nine games.
All-Star forward Chris Bosh came up big, completing a 3-point play in the final seconds to give the Raptors the win. Bosh, who finished with 29 points, was under fire from his coach, Jay Triano, heading into Friday. Triano pointed out to reporters Bosh?s inconsistent efforts, specifically his 18-point showing against the Orlando Magic earlier in the week.
"I think he was a little bit bound and determined to get the ball there," Triano told reporters of Bosh?s game-winning play. "We'd gone away from him on a couple of previous plays and he had asked for the ball. But I just didn't want to play our hand too soon."
Toronto's lone blemish during this stretch was a 103-96 loss to the Celtics in Boston last weekend. The Raptors are thirsty for another crack at the division leaders, especially at home where they are 12-5 this season, covering in 10 of those games.
Pick: Raptors
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Clippers (-1.5, 194)
With the Lakers losing back-to-back games, the hottest team in La-La Land doesn?t sport the purple and gold.
The Clippers are riding a three-game winning streak, getting their most recent win at the expense of their STAPLES Center roommates Wednesday. They face the Heat at home Sunday, where they have won five games in a row.
?This is a very important stretch for us and we need to come out and have a sense of urgency," Clippers forward Craig Smith told reporters.
The team?s defense has been behind this winning run, allowing just under 92 points per game during those five home contests. The Clippers held the Lakers to 38 percent shooting after watching opponents hit shots at more than 45 percent and score more than 98 points per game this season.
"We're right there in that position; we can't really afford to come off these big wins and fall back with a tough loss," Smith said. "We've got to keep building, keep climbing the ladder. That's what it felt like in practice today, that guys are ready to take the next step."
Pick: Clippers
