Oklahoma City at Boston

Sometimes the odds-makers are forced to stretch out a line on a given game. When they have a team like Boston, on a nine-game winning streak, playing one of the NBA's weakest teams, they have no choice. The problem is Seattle is not putting games in the win column, but they are improved, especially ATS. Starting 15-24 ATS, they have since gone 15-9. More importantly, to the huge spreads of 11.5+, they are 8-1. Boston has not fared well against the big pointspreads, having gone a dismal 0-5 ATS when they lay 13 or more. This is an overlay, so we will back the Sonics. What the Celtics do well against bad teams is keep the overall score down, especially early. They are giving up 41.6 in the first half over the past five games. They are 20-7 UNDER this season vs. poor defensive teams (those allowing triple digits). This season and last, they are 30-15 UNDER in the first half as a home favorite. They are 15-7 this season UNDER vs. non-conference foes as well. Seattle is 21-12 UNDER in the first half vs. winning teams this season. We like the Sonics to keep it close enough and for the first half to go UNDER.