NEW YORK KNICKS at BOSTON CELTICS (-2.5, 188)
THE STORY: The New York Knicks finally showed they could beat the Boston Celtics in the season opener on Christmas Day. Now, with point guard Jeremy Lin and an upgraded supporting cast in tow, the Knicks will look to end a 12-game losing streak in Boston (postseason included) when they visit the Celtics on Sunday afternoon. The teams, which have split of pair of two-point decisions this season, currently hold the final two playoff slots in the Eastern Conference and are chasing Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (18-18, 17-19 ATS): When New York lost at Boston on Feb. 3, Lin had two points in 6 1/2 minutes. One night later, he came off the bench to score 25 points and spark a seven-game win streak -- and the birth of Linsanity. The addition of J.R. Smith and return to health of Baron Davis has bolstered the Knicks' bench, which produced 50 points – including 17 from Steve Novak – in a comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (18-17, 14-21 ATS): Boston's aging roster appears to have been invigorated by the All-Star break. The Celtics entered the break on a five-game losing streak but have come out of it by winning three straight, including a 107-94 demolition of New Jersey on Friday night. Point guard Rajon Rondo has been the subject of numerous trade rumors, but it hasn't affected his play. Rondo followed up a triple-double against Milwaukee with 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Nets.
TRENDS:
*Knicks are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as underdogs.
*Celtics are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games overall.
*Road team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings.
*Over is 6-0-1 in Boston's last seven home games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen is expected to play after missing Friday's game due to illness.
2. The Knicks are 10-3 since Lin burst onto the scene with his 25-point effort against New Jersey on Feb. 4.
3. Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony has scored 63 points in two games against Boston this season.
MIAMI HEAT at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (2.5, 193.5)
THE STORY: Some games in the NBA do not require hype, and a meeting between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat tops that list. Still, when Los Angeles hosts Miami on Sunday, there will be an extra buzz surrounding the high-profile matchup, powered by a juicy subplot that has LeBron James playing second fiddle. The teams are squaring off exactly one week after Heat guard Dwyane Wade smacked Kobe Bryant on a drive in the All-Star Game, leaving the Lakers superstar with a concussion, broken nose and whiplash. Los Angeles also is attempting to halt a four-game losing streak at the hands of Miami.
ABOUT THE HEAT (28-8, 19-17 ATS): Perhaps looking ahead to Sunday, Miami had its nine-game win streak halted by Utah on Friday night. The Heat had won each game by at least 12 points in the streak. James has come out of the All-Star break with a vengeance, pouring in 73 points on 63 percent shooting and grabbing 21 rebounds in the two games. James is 3-0 against the Lakers as a member of the Heat and 10-2 in his last 12 meetings against them overall.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (22-14, 17-19 ATS): The injuries sustained in the All-Star Game have forced Bryant to wear a mask, but it hasn't had an adverse effect on his play. Bryant poured in 38 points in Friday's win over Sacramento and scored 31 in Wednesday's win over Minnesota. Bryant and his teammates played down the revenge factor against Wade. "We'll do what we need to do to get a win," guard Derek Fisher said. "That's always the sweetest revenge." Lakers C Andrew Bynum has recorded eight straight double-doubles.
TRENDS:
*Heat is 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games.
*Lakers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Eastern Conference teams.
*Over is 6-1 in the Lakers' last seven games.
*Heat is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Heat F Chris Bosh has missed two straight games due to the death of his grandmother. His status for Sunday's game is uncertain.
2. The Lakers have won seven straight at home and are 16-2 at the Staples Center -- the second-best home record in the league behind Oklahoma City.
3. Wade, who apologized to Bryant, is keyed up for Sunday's game. "Love it," Wade said. "My favorite matchup is to go against Kobe."
THE STORY: The New York Knicks finally showed they could beat the Boston Celtics in the season opener on Christmas Day. Now, with point guard Jeremy Lin and an upgraded supporting cast in tow, the Knicks will look to end a 12-game losing streak in Boston (postseason included) when they visit the Celtics on Sunday afternoon. The teams, which have split of pair of two-point decisions this season, currently hold the final two playoff slots in the Eastern Conference and are chasing Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (18-18, 17-19 ATS): When New York lost at Boston on Feb. 3, Lin had two points in 6 1/2 minutes. One night later, he came off the bench to score 25 points and spark a seven-game win streak -- and the birth of Linsanity. The addition of J.R. Smith and return to health of Baron Davis has bolstered the Knicks' bench, which produced 50 points – including 17 from Steve Novak – in a comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (18-17, 14-21 ATS): Boston's aging roster appears to have been invigorated by the All-Star break. The Celtics entered the break on a five-game losing streak but have come out of it by winning three straight, including a 107-94 demolition of New Jersey on Friday night. Point guard Rajon Rondo has been the subject of numerous trade rumors, but it hasn't affected his play. Rondo followed up a triple-double against Milwaukee with 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Nets.
TRENDS:
*Knicks are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as underdogs.
*Celtics are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games overall.
*Road team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings.
*Over is 6-0-1 in Boston's last seven home games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen is expected to play after missing Friday's game due to illness.
2. The Knicks are 10-3 since Lin burst onto the scene with his 25-point effort against New Jersey on Feb. 4.
3. Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony has scored 63 points in two games against Boston this season.
MIAMI HEAT at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (2.5, 193.5)
THE STORY: Some games in the NBA do not require hype, and a meeting between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat tops that list. Still, when Los Angeles hosts Miami on Sunday, there will be an extra buzz surrounding the high-profile matchup, powered by a juicy subplot that has LeBron James playing second fiddle. The teams are squaring off exactly one week after Heat guard Dwyane Wade smacked Kobe Bryant on a drive in the All-Star Game, leaving the Lakers superstar with a concussion, broken nose and whiplash. Los Angeles also is attempting to halt a four-game losing streak at the hands of Miami.
ABOUT THE HEAT (28-8, 19-17 ATS): Perhaps looking ahead to Sunday, Miami had its nine-game win streak halted by Utah on Friday night. The Heat had won each game by at least 12 points in the streak. James has come out of the All-Star break with a vengeance, pouring in 73 points on 63 percent shooting and grabbing 21 rebounds in the two games. James is 3-0 against the Lakers as a member of the Heat and 10-2 in his last 12 meetings against them overall.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (22-14, 17-19 ATS): The injuries sustained in the All-Star Game have forced Bryant to wear a mask, but it hasn't had an adverse effect on his play. Bryant poured in 38 points in Friday's win over Sacramento and scored 31 in Wednesday's win over Minnesota. Bryant and his teammates played down the revenge factor against Wade. "We'll do what we need to do to get a win," guard Derek Fisher said. "That's always the sweetest revenge." Lakers C Andrew Bynum has recorded eight straight double-doubles.
TRENDS:
*Heat is 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games.
*Lakers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Eastern Conference teams.
*Over is 6-1 in the Lakers' last seven games.
*Heat is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Heat F Chris Bosh has missed two straight games due to the death of his grandmother. His status for Sunday's game is uncertain.
2. The Lakers have won seven straight at home and are 16-2 at the Staples Center -- the second-best home record in the league behind Oklahoma City.
3. Wade, who apologized to Bryant, is keyed up for Sunday's game. "Love it," Wade said. "My favorite matchup is to go against Kobe."
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