5* NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK

Boston vs. Cleveland, 01/31/2012 19:00 EDT, Score: 93 - 90

Point Spread: -3½/-110 Boston

Sportsbook: BookMaker

Result: Loss

The Celtics will be plenty motivated against the Cavaliers tonight. Cleveland went into Boston and upset the Celtics 88-87 on Sunday. Boston uncharacteristically blew a 8-point lead going into the 4th quarter, allowing the Cavaliers to score 26 points in the final period. That kind of loss isn't something the Celtics will overlook. There's no question the compacted schedule has taken its tole on Boston, but those old legs should feel pretty fresh tonight. This will be just the second game in the last four days for Boston.

The Cavaliers are a much improved team, but they are young and not exactly use to winning. I think they went into Boston extremely motivated to win that game, I don't think they will play with that same intensity tonight. Cleveland is just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.

Prior to that loss to the Cavaliers, the Celtics had won four straight and were really starting to play the kind of basketball we expected in the early part of the season. There is no room for this team to take a night off with a 9-10 record, and I look for them to come out and dominate this game from start to finish.

Boston is 153-114 ATS off a home loss since 1996, 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games, and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5. BET THE CELTICS!