CELTICS @ CAVALIERS, 8pm on ESPN

Year to date: 7-1. +5 units

The NBA regular season is a 82-game grind.  Knowing which team is better is one thing, but factors like player interest and travel are very important (and difficult to assess).  Also, what incentive does a coach have to exploit an opponent mismatch or tendency to the best of his ability this early in the season?  Tonight's marquee matchup on ESPN between the defending champion Celtics visiting the undefeated-at-home Cavaliers, however, is a statement game where you can be sure both squads will attempt to perform to its respective potential.

CELTICS (+4) vs. Cavaliers. 1 unit.  Whenever a lesser team is favored by more than 4 points in the NBA, it is sending a major message in sentiment, and is a contrarian opportunity I seek to exploit.  The Celtics may have been struggling since failing to preserve its franchise-record 19 game winning streak against the Lake Show on Christmas, but I think Boston prevails tonight in hostile territory because of its balanced offensive attack, superior defense, and a winner's pedigree. I hardly expect LeBronBron to choke, but, to me, there's more pressure on the home Cavs to prove they are an elite team that can actually win the championship. Although the speculation of LeBron's impending 2010 free agency departure has cooled since playing the Knicks, that doesn't mean his supporting cast doesn't face any less pressure today. Follow-up: LBJ was great all over the court, but this game was more of a farce for Boston. I can see the players actually lobbying to bring Stephon Marbury, as has already been rumored as his next team, after this performance. Rajon Rondo shouldn't be a starter in this league; he doesn't make anybody better and is pathetic on offense.