Celtics vs Spurs odds - Boston still ailing from injuries

sports betting/nba/nba5.jpg" alt="celtics vs spurs odds" class=”imageLeftAligned” width="300" border="2" height="200" />It’s tough to focus on Celtics vs Spurs odds with March Madness betting going on right now, but the pro playoff race is heating up too. Friday night features a tilt that could be a potential preview of the NBA Championship. Boston and San Antonio are both powerhouses in their respective conferences, and they’re each looking to hold onto their second-overall seeds.

Celtics vs Spurs odds – Friday, March 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET

• Tony Parker leading the way for Spurs
• Allen and Garnett questionable for Boston
• Tim Duncan will cause problems up front

The Spurs (45-22) are doing what they do best—quietly chugging along, piling up the wins without anyone really noticing or paying attention. If anyone is paying attention it’s the Rockets, as San Antonio’s lead over Houston in the Southwest Division had been whittled down to just 1.5 games as of Wednesday’s action.

San Antonio has split its last four games, most recently a 93-86 win over the Timberwolves. Tony Parker dropped 24 points, continuing a streak of very solid play since the All-Star break. The guard has posted 23.9 points and 7.5 assists per game over his last 16 outings, and he’s regularly finished as the Spurs’ leading scorer on a game-to-game basis. That certainly pushes sportsbook odds in San Antonio’s favor.

Tim Duncan missed the Minnesota game, as he’s nursing sore knees. Apparently, Duncan’s knees have been an issue all season and head coach Gregg Popovich is trying to keep him out of back-to-back games (which was the case against the Wolves). He’ll be in action against Boston, but it definitely warrants watching.

The Celtics (51-18) are in a bit of trouble. Boston has won just five of its last 10 games (and just two of its last six), allowing the Orlando Magic to close the gap and pull within a half a game of second place in the Eastern Conference. The biggest problem has been injuries, most notably to Kevin Garnett, who hasn’t played since Feb. 19.

Boston has been nicked up all the way through its roster, though, and Ray Allen missed Wednesday’s game against Miami (luckily, Dwyane Wade also missed the game, and Boston prevailed 112-108). It’s unknown if Garnett or Allen will return against the Spurs.

Considering the injury status of Boston, you have to lean toward the Spurs. Even if Garnett and Allen return, K.G. will be rusty after a month-long layoff, and you can’t expect him to log a lot of time. Duncan will play, and he’ll cause the Celtics some problems up front. If you bet sports, take San Antonio at home.

For Celtics vs Spurs odds and other great NBA betting lines, check out the BetOnline.com Sportsbook.