 Friday NBA
Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics (-10, 182 ½)
The Celtics fell to Detroit 87-85 on Wednesday, their first home loss this season. They should avenge that loss on Friday against the struggling Bulls.
Boston routed the Bulls on Dec. 8 in the Windy City, covering the spread as a five-point road favorite. Ray Allen led the Celtics in scoring with 21 points.
Bulls center Ben Wallace could miss Friday’s contest with a sore foot. Wallace is averaging a meager four points and eight rebounds.
Pick: Celtics -10
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards (-5, 189 ½)
The Hawks are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last six outside the Peach State.
Hawks forward Josh Smith accumulated 39 points, 25 rebounds, five steals and five blocks in his last two road contests. Smith is also leading the league in blocks, managing more than three per night.
Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last six meetings with the Wizards.
Pick: Hawks +5
New York Knicks at Charlotte Bobcats (-5, 191)
So the Knicks outlasted the Cavs Wednesday. Big deal. New York still stinks.
New York is a dismal 1-9 straight up (SU) on the road, including last Friday’s setback to the struggling Bulls. Charlotte, on the other hand, has been tough at home. It has won three of its last four in the Tar Heel State, including Wednesday’s 98-92 triumph over Utah.
The Knicks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven meetings with the Bobcats.
Pick: Bobcats -5
Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic (-4, 207 ½)
Orlando has been bad. The Jazz, though, have been worse.
The Jazz are a miserable 2-8 SU and ATS in their last 10 and have lost two straight on the road, including Wednesday’s loss to the Bobcats. Utah center Mehmet Okur is questionable for Friday. Okur, averaging 12 points and five boards, has missed four straight contests with a shoulder ailment.
Orlando is a remarkable 7-0-1 ATS in its last eight showdowns with the Jazz.
Pick: Magic -4
Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers (+3, 199 ½)
Philly native Kobe Bryant loves playing in his hometown.
Bryant scored 30 points in his last visit to the City of Brotherly Love and is averaging more than 38 points in his last three meetings with the Sixers. Bryant also ranks second in the league in scoring this season, averaging more than 26 points.
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last six home games. The Lakers, meanwhile, are 4-0 ATS in their last four outside L.A.
Pick: Lakers -3
Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons (-9 ½, 203)
The Pistons have won eight of their last 10, including Wednesday’s victory over first-place Boston.
Detroit outscored its last three home opponents by an average of 17 points. It is also 5-1 ATS in its last six matches in the Motor City.
Memphis, meanwhile, could be without starter Pau Gasol, who has missed four straight games with a toe ailment. Gasol is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds.
Pick: Pistons -9 ½
Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves (+5 ½, 202)
Don’t overlook the rebuilding Timberwolves.
Minnesota leading scorer Al Jefferson is averaging 20 points and 12 boards and he’s shooting 49 percent from the field. Boston College product Craig Smith is also having a strong sophomore campaign, averaging 11 points and four rebounds.
The Timberwolves toppled the high-octane Suns in Minneapolis on Dec. 8. Big Al tallied 32 points and 20 rebounds in the victory.
Minnesota has also covered the spread in two of its last three meetings with the Pacers.
Pick: Timberwolves +5 ½
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks (-12, 192)
The Clippers are an impressive 5-1 ATS in their last five outside L.A.
However, with starters Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley sidelined with injuries it is unlikely that L.A. can compete with the surging Mavericks.
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last seven and has won two straight over the Clippers dating back to last April.
Pick: Mavericks -12
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers (-2, 202 ½)
There is a bad taste in Denver’s mouth stemming from its 116-105 home setback to the Trail Blazers last Sunday.
The Nuggets, though, can avenge that defeat Friday at the Rose Garden.
Denver has won eight of its last 10 tilts with the Blazers dating back to 2005. That includes a 17-point home victory over Portland on Nov. 14.
Pick: Nuggets +2
Toronto Raptors at Seattle SuperSonics (+4 ½, 193 ½)
The Raptors have failed to cover in the first two games of their western road trip.
Chris Bosh, though, should lead the Raptors to a much needed cash grab against the struggling SuperSonics. Bosh is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds in his last seven contests. Overall, the forward is averaging 18.9 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Toronto is looking for its third victory in three contests with Seattle. The road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six matches between the Raptors and Sonics.
Pick: Raptors -4 ½
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