Boston Celtics at Charlotte Bobcats Betting Odds

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Boston Celtics(-7.5)
Game Total Line: (187.5)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

The Celtics (18-4, 12-8-1 ATS) have ploughed through the competition in recent weeks, barreling their way to nine consecutive wins. Boston failed to cover in Thursday's 102-101 win over Philly, but covered its three games before that.

Boston is getting it done at both ends of the floor. During the winning streak, the Celtics have allowed 100 points or more just twice (they gave up 101 both times). In the last nine games, Boston is surrendering just 88.7 points per game.

Kevin Garnett has been a major part of Boston's fantastic run, both offensively and defensively. He's healthier than he's been in a long while, and the forward is currently shooting 54 percent from the field-a career high. Boston has made a conscious effort to get Garnett the ball more often, and he already has 10 double-doubles, matching last year's total.

Of course, you can't mention the Celtics these days without touching on Rajon Rondo. The brilliant point guard is playing through a hamstring injury that has him listed as day-to-day. He's missed some playing time lately, but he looked fine on Thursday; Rondo torched Philadelphia for 19 points, 14 assists and three steals.

Charlotte owns 8-14 record (9-11-2 ATS) after Friday's loss to Indiana. The Bobcats have struggled playing back to back games with a 1-6 mark straight up. They have done better versus the spread though with a 3-3-1 ATS record and they do catch the Crltics playing their third game in 4 nights.

There may be some problems brewing in the locker room. Team captains Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace questioned Charlotte's toughness last Saturday, while Wallace specifically mentioned losing Raymond Felton to the Knicks in the offseason-clearly a blow to new guard D.J. Augustin.

They tried backtracking after Tuesday's win over Denver, but it's hard not to agree with them. Augustin isn't a physical presence like Felton was-who, for the record, is excelling in New York.

Boston is 8-2 in its last 10 games against Charlotte, including four straight wins. The Bobcats have been better on the spread, though, winning six of the past 10. The total has gone under in two of the last three games between Boston and Charlotte; BetUS.com has set the total for Saturday's match up at XXX.

Benson ATS Prediction
Take the over 187.5 at Betus.