NBA East Free Picks – Boston Three Party in Action

Toronto Raptors +7 over DETROIT PISTONS

I have this thing about star players coming up for free-agency going in to what I call “audition mode”. It’s the same mode that Vince Carter went in to when the rumors circulated that he would end up in Cleveland. Suddenly Carter became a veritable scoring machine again, ranking in the top-8 of league scorers. Now that those rumors are dead, Vince is a bum again (much to my delight).

So what’s going to happen with Bosh in 2010? If the rumors of Shawn Marion for Jermaine O’Neal are true, then Toronto will be in a prime position to resign Bosh to a mega contract. But that doesn’t mean that Bosh is going to stay in the Great White North. Bosh leads the Raptors with 23.4 points per game and 10 boards.

And guess where Bosh’s apparent destination could be? Forget that reunion of Bosh and LeBron in NYC. The prime place for a player of Bosh’s caliber is Detroit. The Pistons need a big man, and Joe Dumars has always spoken highly of Bosh. With Detroit stuttering to a 1-5 ATS record in their past 6 games, including a 2-6 ATS record in their last 8 games at home, the Pistons are in for a rough ride when Toronto comes to visit the Palace. If anything, it will give Detroit a chance to see what Bosh can really do. In his last game against the Pistons, Bosh registered 26 points and 13 boards. Expect more of the same as Bosh auditions for a potential suitor come 2010.

Boston Celtics -5.5 over MIAMI HEAT

The Return of the Boston Tea Party has rewarded those that didn’t abandon ships like it were the Bay of Pigs. Boston has risen to a 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games, and is back to playing lockdown defense. They’ve allowed only 86.5 points against in their last five games if you exclude the over-time matchup against Toronto. Miami has struggled against Boston in recent memory, getting throttled 117-87 and 88-62 in their two games last season. Dwayne Wade and the Heat may be 5-1 ATS in their last 6, but covering a tight line against Kevin Garnett and the Celtics is a near impossible thought.

D’Antoni’s Knicks +5 over PHOENIX SUNS

Insider info will lead to the continued muzzle of the Suns, who are limping against the line with no spread victories in the last two weeks. On the road, they’re even worse, posting a 1-5-1 ATS record in their last 7 road games. D’Antoni built the Suns, and while the Knicks are not anywhere close to the level of Phoenix, they are definitely capable of causing a hailstorm when the Suns come to Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against the Phoenix Suns at home, and are the fourth best offense when playing at home, notching 107.1 points per game.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS over Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs are coming off a nice victory over the Sixers, but at what cost? They’re tipping off the second game of their East Coast road trip as they swing through Milwaukee tonight to take on the Bucks. Normally, the Bucks are a reliable team, but in a pick’em line, it’s hard to dissect this matchup. Who stops Dirk? Really? Charlie V, aka Shrek? I don’t know. All I know is that every time I suggest going against the Bucks, they dismantle me. I can’t take it anymore. Milwaukee is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games at home and with no line on the game, I’ll take the home team.