Oklahoma City at Boston

The Boston Celtics have been an aging team at the top as their best players Pierce and Garnett don't have the same consistency as they once had and are now playing fewer minutes. Boston has used the Garden to its advantage when playing the lesser teams in the league, but have constantly faltered against the league's top teams where they are 80-111-1 ATS as a home dog since 1996. The problem is that the Thunder have young superstars that can wear down the Celtics’ older legs, and I would look for them to drive the pace down the stretch. San Antonio played that game here and scored 30 in the final stanza to pull away and more of the same is expected here. The fourth quarter will belong to the Thunder, so play on Oklahoma City. Boston likes to set the tempo in big games, and often calls on their defense to keep them in the game, so I would look for them to play a tight half-court game at the onset. The problem is that the Thunder has young superstars that can wear down the Celtics’ older legs, and I would look for them to drive the pace down the stretch. San Antonio played that game here and scored 30 in the final stanza to pull away and more of the same is expected here. The Thunder has run the table in their last seven vs. the Atlantic at 7-0 ATS where they have also been 7-1 to the UNDER in their last eight. The Celtics have the legs and the defensive mindset to slow them down in the first half or so, but the fourth quarter will belong to the Thunder. Play on Oklahoma City, and take the first half UNDER.