Miami at Boston Preview - Free Picks Thursday
The NFL Picks season right around the corner and UFC Picks are this weekend, but before that we have some NBA Picks. The Boston Celtics are one victory away from being a surprise entrant in the NBA Finals The Miami Heat are one loss away from being stamped huge underachievers. Boston has won three consecutive games to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals as its veteran group seemingly finds an extra competitive gear when needed. Miami has lost 15 of its last 16 games in Boston and is hopeful of forcing a Game 7 on Saturday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE HEAT: Forward LeBron James is averaging 31.8 points and 10 rebounds in the series but the pressure is on with Game 6 being do or die. The three-time MVP has a reputation of wilting in these situations, meaning the contest presents a big opportunity for him to deliver a statement-type performance. Forward Chris Bosh returned from a lower abdominal strain to play 14-plus minutes in Miami’s Game 5 loss and is expected to play a bigger role in Game 6. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called for his team to avoid listening to outsiders leading into the pivotal game. “This is what the playoffs are all about,” Spoelstra said. “It tests your collective character and your resolve. And this is the journey that we have to be on right now for whatever reason.”
ABOUT THE CELTICS: The veteran trio of post player Kevin Garnett, forward Paul Pierce and guard Ray Allen were said to be on their last stand entering the series and are on the verge of making it highly memorable if it indeed turns out that way. Garnett had 26 points and 11 rebounds in Game 5 for his fourth double-double of the series and Pierce made a clutch late-game 3-pointer to highlight a 19-point performance. Allen is persevering while dealing with an ankle injury that hinders his shooting. “You have to leave it to fate – whatever is going to happen will happen,” Allen said of the future. “Right now is what you have to be concerned with. We’ll look back over these years at all the opportunities we had, all the great games we played and the big shots that we made. We’ll talk about the tough games. Right now, we are in the present moment and that’s the most important.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored a series-high 27 points and has four 20-point outings in the series despite shaky first-half play.
2. Boston point guard Rajon Rondo had just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting in Game 5 but recorded 13 assists to break Bob Cousy’s franchise record for career playoff double-digit assists performances with his 39th such game.
3. Miami forward Udonis Haslem has averaged 15.5 rebounds over the past two games and has three double-digit rebound games in the series.
Free Picks : Celtics 92, Heat 87.
NFL 2013
2013 Super Bowl Odds Chicago Bears
2013 Super Bowl Odds 49ers
The NFL Picks season right around the corner and UFC Picks are this weekend, but before that we have some NBA Picks. The Boston Celtics are one victory away from being a surprise entrant in the NBA Finals The Miami Heat are one loss away from being stamped huge underachievers. Boston has won three consecutive games to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals as its veteran group seemingly finds an extra competitive gear when needed. Miami has lost 15 of its last 16 games in Boston and is hopeful of forcing a Game 7 on Saturday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE HEAT: Forward LeBron James is averaging 31.8 points and 10 rebounds in the series but the pressure is on with Game 6 being do or die. The three-time MVP has a reputation of wilting in these situations, meaning the contest presents a big opportunity for him to deliver a statement-type performance. Forward Chris Bosh returned from a lower abdominal strain to play 14-plus minutes in Miami’s Game 5 loss and is expected to play a bigger role in Game 6. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called for his team to avoid listening to outsiders leading into the pivotal game. “This is what the playoffs are all about,” Spoelstra said. “It tests your collective character and your resolve. And this is the journey that we have to be on right now for whatever reason.”
ABOUT THE CELTICS: The veteran trio of post player Kevin Garnett, forward Paul Pierce and guard Ray Allen were said to be on their last stand entering the series and are on the verge of making it highly memorable if it indeed turns out that way. Garnett had 26 points and 11 rebounds in Game 5 for his fourth double-double of the series and Pierce made a clutch late-game 3-pointer to highlight a 19-point performance. Allen is persevering while dealing with an ankle injury that hinders his shooting. “You have to leave it to fate – whatever is going to happen will happen,” Allen said of the future. “Right now is what you have to be concerned with. We’ll look back over these years at all the opportunities we had, all the great games we played and the big shots that we made. We’ll talk about the tough games. Right now, we are in the present moment and that’s the most important.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored a series-high 27 points and has four 20-point outings in the series despite shaky first-half play.
2. Boston point guard Rajon Rondo had just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting in Game 5 but recorded 13 assists to break Bob Cousy’s franchise record for career playoff double-digit assists performances with his 39th such game.
3. Miami forward Udonis Haslem has averaged 15.5 rebounds over the past two games and has three double-digit rebound games in the series.
Free Picks : Celtics 92, Heat 87.
NFL 2013
2013 Super Bowl Odds Chicago Bears
2013 Super Bowl Odds 49ers
