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NBA weekly betting trends: Celtics looking to hit stride

By Jeff Glauser

Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) are in today's DraftKings daily picks. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) are in today's DraftKings daily picks. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here’s a look at the latest NBA betting trends.

Heading into the regular season, there were the usual contenders (Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs) and then there were the trendy picks. The Boston Celtics were one of the latter.

And rightfully so. The C’s arguably won the offseason by signing All-Star Al Horford and drafting Jaylen Brown with one of the lottery selections the Brooklyn Nets gifted them. This, on top of a nucleus that includes Isaiah Thomas and a resurgent Avery Bradley, seemed to set the Celtics up for success.

However, to date, it hasn’t translated into a contending record. They currently stand at 13-11, losing three of four. And it doesn’t get any easier Wednesday night when they face the San Antonio Spurs, whom they have lost 10 consecutive contests to, including four straight at the Alamo (Boston hasn’t beaten the Spurs since 2011.

Ironically, according to Kevin Rogers at Vegas Insider, that doesn’t necessarily mean betting on the Spurs is a sure thing — in this game or many others. Although they stand tall at 19-5 straight up, they are just 11-12-1 Against The Spread, which is actually slightly worse than the Celtics.

Next: Why are the Timberwolves struggling?

Other current betting trends:

  • “Under” is the magic word this week. Underdogs and betting the under are both winning out thus far.
  • The Memphis Grizzlies face the Cleveland Cavaliers but may be a nice sleeper pick, as The Big Three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love will stay back in Cleveland for the second of their back-to-back games. It’s the first time this season that all three won’t play.
  • The Dallas Mavericks are just 6-18, but 6-3 ATS in their last nine.
  • The Toronto Raptors have won 13 consecutive meetings against the Philadelphia 76ers, while covering each of the last six.
  • The Los Angeles Clippers have won five straight against the Orlando Magic since 2014, going 4-1 in their past five visits. Six of the past seven matchups have finished under the total line.
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