The Washington Wizards pay a visit to the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on Saturday night. Here’s a Celtics vs. Wizards prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs. Wizards pick.
Washington Wizards Betting Preview
The Washington Wizards have been in a slump, as they’ve lost 13 of their last 15 games overall and they will be eager to snap a 10-game losing streak after falling just short to the Magic in a 136-131 overtime road defeat on Thursday. Bilal Coulibaly led the team with 29 points and five assists, Alex Sarr added 16 points, and Trae Young chipped in with 15 points and six assists. As a team, the Wizards shot 46 percent from the field and 14 of 46 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 42 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 19-point deficit and force the game into overtime, but they scored just eight points in the extra period to let the Magic off the hook in the end. Tre Johnson had a night to forget as he shot just one of 11 from the field to finish with three points and three turnovers.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have been in great shape, as they’ve won 14 of their last 19 games overall and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after falling just short to the Thunder in a 104-102 road defeat on Thursday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 34 points, six rebounds and seven assists; Payton Pritchard added 14 points, while Baylor Scheierman chipped in with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Celtics shot 40 percent from the field and 13 of 42 from the 3-point line as they squandered an early 12-point lead and had to fight back to tie the scores at 102-102 with just 22.6 seconds left on the clock before the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren drained the game-winning free throws with just 0.8 seconds left to snatch the game away.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Wizards have lost each of their last 15 road games against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have won each of their last 13 games against Southeast Division opponents following a loss.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last 13 games against Southeast Division opponents following a loss.
- The Wizards have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Washington Wizards will win
- The Wizards have won three of their last four games against the Celtics after coming off overtime.
- The Celtics have lost three of their last four night games.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games against Southeast Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Wizards’ last six games as underdogs has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Celtics’ last four games as favorites has gone UNDER the total points line.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Jaylen Brown is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
- Neemias Queta ranks 6th amongst qualified players for FG% (63.3%) this season.
Washington Wizards Player Facts
- Alex Sarr ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for blocks per game (2.0) this season.
- Trae Young is one of only eight players in the league to have recorded 17+ assists in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (107.1).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (6.0).
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-11.0).
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (47.9).
Celtics vs Wizards Prediction
The Wizards are still missing Anthony Davis, Kyshawn George and Cam Whitmore, while the Celtics have ruled out Nikola Vucevic once again. The line was always going to be hefty for this matchup but you have to say that it’s warranted, especially given that the Celtics have already smashed the Wizards twice this season by 29 and 45 points, respectively. The Wizards put up a great fight to overcome a 19-point deficit against the Magic in their last outing, but I don’t think the Celtics will give them a sniff in this one. This is the time of the season where the contenders separate themselves from the lottery teams and I think we’re going to see another blowout win for the Celtics here.