The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Boston Celtics at the Intuit Dome on Saturday night. Here’s a Clippers vs Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Clippers vs Celtics Pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics have been on a tear as they’ve won 11 of their last 14 games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the Kings in a 120-106 road win on Thursday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Payton Pritchard and Derrick White each scored 16 points while Sam Hauser chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Celtics shot 51 percent from the field and 17 of 41 from the 3-point line as they battled the pesky Kings through three tight quarters. Before they finally broke away with a 32-18 fourth quarter to escape with the win and cover on the road. The Celtics didn’t fire up as many long balls as we’re used to seeing from them, but it was a really balanced scoring effort with seven players scoring at least 11 points.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have turned their season around with six wins in a row and they will be full of confidence following their dominant 118-101 win over the Jazz on Thursday. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 45 points on 16 of 29 shooting, James Harden added 20 points with seven assists while Nicolas Batum chipped in with 14 points off the bench. As a team, the Clippers shot 45 percent from the field and 16 of 51 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Jazz from the start and stormed out to an early 19-point lead. However, they allowed the Jazz back into the contest and didn’t have full control of the contest until the fourth quarter where they outscored the Jazz by 36-20 to win comfortably in the end.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last nine games against the Celtics following a home win.
- The Celtics have lost five of their last six road games following a road win.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last nine Saturday night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games following a road win.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last seven games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Clippers have lost six of their last eight games as home favorites.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 games as home favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Celtics’ last six games as road underdogs following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Clippers’ last seven games as favorites have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Kawhi Leonard ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FT% (95.8%) this season.
- Ivica Zubac ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for second chance points per game (4.2) this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Neemias Queta ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.7%) this season.
- Derrick White is one of only two qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.5).
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (84.1%).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (5.6).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (12.2).
Clippers vs Celtics Prediction
The Celtics are still missing Jayson Tatum, while the Clippers have ruled out Bradley Beal and Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Celtics are coming into this game with plenty of momentum, and they are as healthy as they’ve been all season. However, it is actually the Clippers who open as slight favorites at home given their impressive run they are currently on. You can make an argument for either side here, but the Celtics have clearly been the more consistent and reliable team since the start of the season, and I think they represent decent value as underdogs in this spot.