JEFF BENTON

Your Thursday freebie is the Celtics plus the points at home against the Warriors.

How can I not take the points?

I mean, all Boston has done is win 13 straight games entering play tonight, and now you want to give me a full 3 baskets with the hottest team in the Association!?!?!?

OK, I'll bite!

Not only has Boston won 13 in a row on the year, but they have definitely held their own against the defending NBA Champs, as the C's have won outright in 2 of the last 3 series meetings, and bring a 4-1-1 spread mark the last 6 series meetings into this one, and a 6-2-1 against the spread overall mark the last 9 times these teams have faced one another.

Golden State will look to make a "statement" here, and they may very well hand the Celtics the straight up loss, but against the spread I will take my chances with the home underdog.

Boston the play plus the points.

3* BOSTON