NBA Action Tonight

[Raji]

Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics (-6 1/2, 202)

The Celtics will face their toughest test of the young season on Wednesday when they host the Nuggets at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston is flying high after its 98-95 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Ray Allen led the new-look Celtics with 33 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field, while Kevin Garnett added 23 points and 13 rebounds.

The Nuggets are capable of competing against the Celtics with their three-man combination of Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby. Camby is averaging a remarkable 19 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots through the first three outings. Iverson is averaging an impressive 10 assists and 3.7 steals, while Anthony leads the team in scoring with more than 25 points a game.

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin also returned to action this season after missing last year with a knee ailment. The athletic defender is averaging more than seven points, five rebounds and two blocks per outing. He will most likely match up against Garnett.

Pick: Nuggets +6 1/2

Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks (+5, 207)

There is no Eastern Conference team more suited to a matchup against the up-tempo Suns than the Hawks, especially at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.

The Hawks outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 101-94 at home last Friday before narrowly falling to the Detroit Pistons 92-91 on the road on Sunday. Joe Johnson leads Atlanta in scoring with more than 25 points per game on 54 percent shooting, and athletic forward Josh Smith averages more than three blocks and two steals.

The Suns continue to rattle opponents with their potent offense, and struggle on defense. Phoenix is allowing more than 100 points a game this year. Two-time MVP Steve Nash is averaging more than 20 points and eight assists and Shawn Marion is averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds. But the Suns have allowed their opponents an outrageous 47 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from the three-point line.

Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire, averaging a mere 15 points this season, could miss Wednesday’s game against the Hawks with a sore back. The injury caused him to miss last Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Pick: Hawks +5

Charlotte Bobcats at Philadelphia 76ers (-3 1/2, 190 1/2)

The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off solid games against the Bulls and the Nets, have an excellent opportunity to record their first home win of the season.

Andre Iguodala recorded his first double-double of the season last Friday in Philadelphia’s 96-85 road victory over Chicago. Iguodala compiled 22 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals in the victory, while center Samuel Dalembert added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Dalembert can also boast a pair of four-block performances against the Nets and Raptors this year.

Charlotte’s only road victory came against the winless Miami Heat last Sunday. Jason Richardson tallied 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting for the Bobcats, while Emeka Okafor secured 13 rebounds against the Wade-less Heat. Yet Charlotte is giving up more than 25 rebounds per game, which could lead to failure against a Philadelphia club averaging more than 15 offensive rebounds.

Pick: 76ers -3 1/2

Raji