NBA Lock Alert – Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Boston Celtics (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS, 2-2 O/U) will look to continue their red-hot start when they battle their longtime Atlantic Division rivals, the rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS, 2-1 O/U) at the Wachovia Center tonight at 7 PM ET.

The Celtics won their fourth consecutive game on Sunday, handling the New Orleans 97-87 in a chippy contest, but failed to cover the NBA point spread as an 11-point favorite while the game’s combined score played Under the 185.5 point O/U total.

Perennial all-star small forward Paul Pierce scored a game-high 27 points for Boston and three-point threat Ray Allen added 17 points.

The 76ers exploded on the New York Knicks in overtime to record a convincing 141-127 win at Madison Square Garden Saturday, covering the NBA point spread as a 2.5-point road favorite while the final score played over the 206-point O/U total.

Philly got a team-high 32 points from Andre Iguoadala while three other players scored at least 20 points against the Knicks as the Sixers outscored their counterparts 19-5 in overtime.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends and NBA Betting Odds, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert NBA Free Picks.

Celtics are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.

Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.

76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.

76ers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Celtics are 12-3-2 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Philadelphia.

Celtics are 12-4-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings.

Over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings in Philadelphia.

Road team is 17-8-1 ATS in the last 26 meetings.

BetOnline NBA Odds

Boston Celtics -7 -110

Over/Under 190 -110

Analysis: While I am very impressed with the way new head coach Eddie Jordan has Philadelphia playing so far this season, I like the Celtics to cover the spread with their league-leading defense, which has help its opponents to just 81.2 points per game this season to help them win by a whopping average of 19.3 points per game this season.

Boston has covered the spread in five consecutive games against the Celtics this season while going an impressive 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games 12-3-2 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Philadelphia.

While the 76ers have gone a spotless 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an SU win, they have also gone just 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games against a team with a winning road record while Boston has also gone 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents and 12-4-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings against Philadelphia.

I think the Sixers, who have some talented young players in point guard Lou Williams, athletic forward Thaddeus Young and blossoming forward Marreese Speights, will put up a serious fight tonight, but in the end, Boston’s suffocating defense will be just too much.

Take the Celtics minus the seven-point spread NBA pro basketball bettors.

NBA Free Picks: Celtics -7 Points