The Boston Celtics, essentially reduced to being a .500 team since Christmas, seem to have regained a bit of their old form by winning and covering four straight games. However, they’ll face a tough test Monday night in Utah against a Jazz team that has been red hot for two months and excellent at home all year, both SU and ATS. The home team has opened as five-point favorites at most sportsbooks.

The Celtics’ four recent wins have come by an average of 13.5 points per game, but the competition, with the exception of Dallas on Saturday night, all came against non-playoff teams. The team is battling with Atlanta for the third seed in the Eastern Conference and can drop no lower than fourth by virtue of their third straight Atlantic Division title (all but assured). Currently, the two teams are tied with identical 45-24 records.

Defense remains the calling card for Boston. They are #2 in the NBA in scoring defense, trailing only Charlotte, allowing just 94.1 points per game. They have held eight of their previous 11 opponents to under 100 points, including all four during the current win streak.

Another team they held under 100 points was Utah, albeit back on November 11th. The Celtics won that game comfortably, 105-86, easily covering as 10.5-point home favorites. The Jazz were 0 for 10 from three-point land in the contest and no player scored more than 13 points.

Utah has won three of four and 22 of its last 29. They trail first place Denver by two games in the Northwest Division and currently occupy fourth-place in the Western Conference standings, which would give them home court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Jazz have excelled against the pointspread all season. They are 30-15 ATS when favored, including 23-10 at home. Over the last three seasons, they are a phenomenal 25-8 vs. the number when laying six or less here in Salt Lake City. Overall, they have covered 16 of their last 23 games.

The home team has won each of the last three meetings between these teams. Last year in Utah, the Jazz upset Boston 90-85 as 2.5-point underdogs.

Over the last seven meetings, the Over/Under result has alternated with Over bettors holding a 4-3 advantage. The Celtics have gone Under in each of their last three games.

The 2009-10 NBA betting season is here, and if you like winning NBA Basketball Picks, then Vegas Experts is your home for Sports Betting. The Vegas Experts have you covered with, free betting trends, free NBA picks, free College basketball picks and Guaranteed Sports Picks all the way up until the 2010 NBA Finals.