Pro Hoops on Sunday and we will see the Boston Celtics travel to Oklahoma to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on ABC. Currently the Odds for the game have Oklahoma City favored by 10.5 points while the total sits at 200.5.
Analysis: The Celtics are trying to stay perfect this month when they visit the high-powered Thunder. Boston has not lost since Feb. 24, ripping off five straight wins (SU and ATS), with three of those coming on the road in tough venues (Utah, Philadelphia and Indiana). Boston was able to beat Oklahoma City in November thanks to the heroics of PG Rajon Rondo who had 16 assists and just two turnovers that game. But although Rondo is now out for the season with a torn ACL, the team hasn't skipped a beat, going 14-4 (SU and ATS) since Jan. 27, which was the first game the Celtics played after Rondo suffered his injury. Boston's offense hasn't always been great this season (96.3 PPG on 46% FG and 35% threes), but it is certainly clicking during the five-game win streak with 100.6 PPG on 48% FG and 42% threes. SF Paul Pierce (18.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG) has been the catalyst for the win surge with 22.0 PPG (51% FG, 46% threes), 8.2 RPG and 6.0 APG in the five games. PF Kevin Garnett (15.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG) has also played well with 14.6 PPG (48% FG) and 9.4 RPG during the five victories. The Celtics could use more scoring from recent acquisition Jordan Crawford, who has scored in double figures only twice in seven games for Boston after doing so in 24 of 43 games for Washington. Garnett (24,174) needs 19 points to pass Jerry West for 15th on the NBA's all-time list. Garnett also ranks 10th all-time in rebounds (13,782).
Oklahoma City is also red-hot, with seven wins in its past eight contests (6-2 ATS), including four straight victories. The Thunder are also 27-4 SU (22-9 ATS) at home this season, outscoring these visitors by 14.3 PPG. Oklahoma City is an outstanding offensive team with 107.0 PPG on 48.4% FG and 39.2% threes. This club has scored at least 100 points in each of its past 12 home games, averaging a whopping 113.8 PPG on 51% FG and 45% threes. SF Kevin Durant (28.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.7 APG) needed just 24 minutes in Friday's game to light up Charlotte for 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds. In his past nine games, he's averaging a well-rounded 24.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG and 6.6 APG, a stretch that includes two triple-doubles. PG Russell Westbrook (23.4 PPG, 7.7 APG, 5.2 RPG) had scored at least 20 points in 10 straight games before tallying just 11 points in 25 minutes against the Bobcats. SG Kevin Martin (14.5 PPG) has been in a shooting funk since March began, scoring just 10.2 PPG on 33% FG in five games. But PF Serge Ibaka (13.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.0 BPG) has barely missed a shot during a six-game streak of scoring in double-figures, averaging 15.0 PPG on 66% FG and 79% FT while adding 7.1 RPG and 2.9 BPG on the defensive end. Ibaka tallied 17 points and 13 boards (4 offensive) in the Nov. 23 loss in Boston, while Durant had 29 points (but only three rebounds) and Westbrook had a well-rounded 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The Thunder are 20-2 when five or more players score in double figures and 14-0 when holding the opposition under 40 percent shooting.
Pick: The Celtics have been trying to run a bit more and they should get their chance to do so in this one. Boston did put up 108 points in an earlier home game vs the Thunder and they have averaged 100.6 ppg in their last 5 games. The Celts do average just 94.9 ppg on the rad, but OKC has struggled some on defense of late, allowing 100.4 ppg in their last 5 games overall and they allow 95.6 ppg at home. I think getting at least 96 from Boston would be golden here, cause the have scored at least 106 points in 10 of their last 12 home games. OKC averages 109.9 pg at home, including 113.8 ppg in their last 12 at home. Boston's defense has been pretty good this year, but they will be hard pressed to stop the Thunder in this one. This should be an up and down game, with at least 205 points being scored. KEY TREND--- The Over is 12-5 in Boston's last 17 games vs an opponent that scored 100+ in their previous game.
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