This match-up features two teams heading in the opposite direction.  The New York Knicks are 3-9, and as of this writing have yet to win a game on the road.  The Boston Celtics are 11-1, including a perfect 7-0 record at home.  Things are not looking up for the Knicks in this one.  Rumors are swirling all around the city of New York as to who will go first, coach Isaiah Thomas, or point guard Stephon Marbury.  A bit of good did come out of New York recently, stating Thomas and Marbury are past their difference, and in return they got a much needed win.  However, they might need Thomas, and the rest of the coaching staff to suit up in order to have a chance of winning in Boston on Thursday. 

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce are all averaging over 20 points per game.  With the exception of a close loss to the Orlando Magic, the Celtics have looked nearly flawless this year, reminiscent of their NFL sister team, the New England Patriots.  The Boston Celtics are currently on top of the odds board as the team being given the best chance to win the NBA championship.  It’s amazing what a difference just one year can make.  I expect the Celtics to win this one in a fairly one sided way, equal to the way they handled the Kobe Bryant and the Lakers a day after Thanksgiving.

The 9-5 Denver Nuggets will take on the 7-6 Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, a game between two teams struggling to stay atop the loaded western conference.  The Nuggets have just received bad news that their star power forward Kenyon Martin will receive an MRI on his knee to determine the extent of his latest injury.  The knee he will have examined will be the same knee he had microfracture surgery on last year, one of the toughest injuries to completely recover from, doctors say.  In his absence they will need even more production from Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.  Anthony is leading the team with 25.2 points a game, with Iverson sitting just under him at 23.6 a game.  Marcus Camby continues to be on a tear, averaging 15 rebounds a game. 

As Kobe Bryant goes, so does the Lakers.  Bryant leads him team in Points (27.3) assists (4.8) and steals (2.1).  While the Nuggets are expected to finish somewhere near the middle of the pack, many experts will consider it a good season for the Lakers if they can just find a way to sneak into the playoffs at all.  While sharing a division with the Phoenix Suns, you can all but say they won’t get into the playoffs be leading that division.  This is a fairly even match-up, but even with Martin gone I think the Nuggets have more match up advantages.  I pick Denver in a close one. 

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