The game of the night for the 1/27 NBA free pick is what many experts believe will be a preview of this year’s Finals as the Boston Celtics visit Golden State. It seems the Warriors thrive off huge contests like this which is likely why oddsmakers set the line at GS -10.5. A majority of people are liking the points tonight however despite the fact that the Celtics have dropped four of their last five. When you factor in some injury concerns for the Warriors is it really BOS +10.5 that we should be looking at?
One of the best finishers in the league takes centerstage… as @StephenCurry30 and the @Warriors host the @Celtics 8:30pm/et #NBAonABC! pic.twitter.com/OVsMb5VmXU
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2018
Have the Celtics Turned Things Around?
The Celtics four game losing streak was kind of dumbfounding as it came on the heels of winning seven straight games. Even weirder was the fact that three of Boston’s four losses the past 11 days came at home – and one was an 8 point loss to Orlando as -10.5 favorites. Celtics backers in the 1/27 NBA free pick are confident that hte team has put that stretch behind them as Boston’s last game was a 113-102 win over the Clippers as +3.5 favorites. It was the first time since November 16th that Boston was an underdog in a game. Interesting to note, that 11/16 contest came at home against these Warriors; a 92-88 win by the C’s.
The previous meeting between these two teams was a defensive struggle and one that saw Stephen Curry score just 9 points. Defense is the way Boston will have to win tonight and the Celtics boast the NBA’s #2 unit in points allowed,and #1 in opponents field goal and three point percentage. Boston will be without one of their top perimeter players however after Marcus Smart lost a battle with a picture frame. Golden State of course owns the league’s #1 offense in nearly every major shooting category so this game will be your classic war of attrition.
Is Golden State Favored By Too Much?
Oddsmakers are seemingly expecting a Warriors blowout despite the fact that Boston already has a win over the defending champs this season. The spread setters are also predicting a high scoring affair as the total of 219 is the highest on tonight’s NBA slate. That first matchup of the year ended with 180 points despite the O/U in that contest being listed at 213. The 1/27 NBA free pick is a perfect example of ‘past results not being indicative of future performance’ – in the eyes of oddsmakers at least.
Golden State has won 8 of 10 and two straight. The Dubs have scored 120+ in five of those games but have also allowed 110+ in seven of ten. The last five wins at home have all been by double figures – but Golden State has also dropped two contests at the Oracle outright over that span. Both of those beats were bad too; a 19 point loss to the Clippers as -12 favorites and dropping an 11 point game to Charlotte as -10 favorites. The Warriors are ‘only’ 16-6 at home this year – the exact same record Boston has at home.
1/27 NBA Free Pick Betting
The Celtics beat the Warriors, 92-88, in their only other meeting of the season back in November. They play for the second and final time on Saturday at 8 ET on ABC and the ESPN app.
Over the last four seasons, no team has swept a season series from the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/wT2HN5HJs5
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 27, 2018
These games against a top defense in the league are an example of the types of contests that Golden State gets especially up for. Only three of Boston’s 14 losses on the season have been by double figures though and you’d have to think that the Celtics defense at least gives them an opportunity to ‘keep it close.’ Boston has two nights of rest compared to 1 for Golden State. Not only that, the Celtics have been in California for the past five days with games against the Lakers and Clippers. This gives Boston a slight edge – and so do the +10.5 points.
Pick: Boston Celtics +10.5
