Top versus Bottom in the Atlantic Division

Four seems to be the magic number on a weekend filled with Super Bowl 44 odds conversation. While the Boston Celtics are trying to stay away from fourth spot in the East, the New Jersey Nets are just trying to improve on their awful 4-44 record before the All Star break. When the Nets travel to the TD Gardens to take on the Celtics (31-16) Friday night, it will match up the best and worst that the Atlantic Division has to offer.

The Celtics are not usually a high scoring team due to their slowed down, half court style offence and gruelling defence. Over the past 10 games however, they are scoring even fewer than normal being held to just 93.2 per game and now will be without their top offensive performer. Paul Pierce is leading the team scoring just under 19 a game and is not expected in the line-up after injuring his ankle on Monday. The team will have to pick up the slack which should not be hard as the team spreads the scoring around with five other players averaging double figures.

Kevin Garnett is slowly getting back to the calibre of play that fans are used to seeing out of him. Over his last three games he has averaged 14.3 and seven boards in limited minutes while shooting a scorching 68 percent from the floor. Even with all its injuries, Boston is one of the top defences in the league, holding teams to under 94 points, and ranking second in steals, forced turnovers and points against.

The Nets are a decent team offensively when they are healthy and at nearly 50 games into the season, they are finally getting healthy. In just his second season, Brook Lopez has taken the reigns of New Jersey and leads the team in points, rebounds and blocks. He is always active on the glass, shoots a high percentage from the floor, gets to the free throw line and should have a good game against Garnett’s injury limited mobility and Kendrick Perkin’s everyday lack of mobility.

Devin Harris was back on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors after missing time with a sprained wrist. He looked healthy and is expected to play which is good for the Nets since he is the leading playmaker and opens up the offence with his ability drive and kick. His matchup with Rondo should be a very exciting matchup as two of the quickest young point guards in the league go head to head.

Kris Humphries has been giving the Nets some really good minutes off the bench as of late. Averaging almost 12 points over the last 11 games, betting services know that he brings a lot of energy that can be dangerous against second unit players and will have a good matchup with Boston’s big energy reserve, Glenn Davis.

While it looks like the Nets would have a chance on paper with the injuries that Boston has suffered, handicapping experts know that this New Jersey team has spent all year just finding new ways to lose. In the two games these teams have played this year, the Celtics have won by 10 and 24 points. Expect another double digit win.