NBA Weekend Preview – Spurs and Celtics Lock Up

The San Antonio Spurs get a pair of playoff-caliber matchups on the NBA betting schedule this weekend with a home game against Boston on Friday night and another home game versus Houston on Sunday.

The Spurs have had a few days off after facing Minnesota on Tuesday night. Even with Tim Duncan getting the night off to rest his aching knees the Spurs easily got past the Timberwolves 93-86 as a 9-point favorite on the NBA odds. Tony Parker led the Spurs with 24 points and six assists and Roger Mason added 15 points in the win.

San Antonio may be catching the Celtics at just the right time. Boston is plagued by a ton of injuries right now and could be shorthanded Friday night. Boston faced Miami on Wednesday night without Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Tony Allen, and Leon Powe. Tony Allen and Powe will both miss Friday’s game, while Ray Allen could be back but Doc Rivers expects him to be out through the weekend. Garnett has missed the Celtics’ last 13 games, but is nearing a return from a right knee strain and could be ready to go Friday night.

The Spurs and Celtics’ only matchup so far this season was back on February 8, when San Antonio upset Boston 105-99 as a 6.5-point road underdog. Duncan led the Spurs with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, while Garnett had 26 points and 12 rebounds for Boston.

The Rockets head to San Antonio on Sunday after facing Minnesota on Friday night. Houston moved within 1.5 games of the Spurs in the Southwest Division on Wednesday night after topping Detroit 106-101 in double overtime. Yao Ming returned from a one-game layoff with the flu and led Houston with 31 points and 15 rebounds.

Houston and San Antonio have clashed three times already this season with the Spurs holding the edge with a pair of wins. The Rockets and Spurs last met up just last week in Houston when the Spurs upset the Rockets 88-85 as a 2.5-point underdog. Parker paced the Spurs with 28 points and eight assists and Duncan delivered 15 points and 12 rebounds. Ron Artest led Houston with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Ming and Aaron Brooks each netted 18 points.