Boston at Portland

This is a big game for both teams, but a lot edges favor the visitors. Boston can move into a virtual tie with the fourth-place Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference with a victory but a loss will drop them behind the Charlotte Hornets into sixth place, so there is ample motivation. Small forward Jae Crowder (high ankle sprain) is back from an eight-game absence and Boston has missed his defensive presence. The Celtics haven't been as cohesive with Crowder out of the lineup and he is averaging 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals. The Celtics are in bounce-back mode and 12-5-1 ATS following a loss of more than 10 points. While both teams in this matchup can score, Boston has a big edge defensively. The Celtics are sixth in field goal shooting defense and tops in the NBA in three-point defense, while Portland is #16 in FG defense and #24 at defending the three. The Celtics are also 15-6 ATS in the last 21 meetings, including 8-2 ATS at Portland. Take Boston.