Boston Celtics (26-10) vs. Denver Nuggets (20-14)
January 7, 2025 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets +4.5; Over/Under: 236
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Celtics pay a visit to the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Tuesday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Celtics Pick.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their last six games overall. The Celtics are looking to bounce back in this one after getting routed by the league-leading Thunder in a 105-92 road defeat on Sunday. Jayson Tatum led the team with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 21 points while Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 19 points and nine rebounds.
As a team, the Celtics shot just 36 percent from the field and nine of 46 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start and looked to be in control when they poured in 65 points in the first half. The Celtics didn’t come out of the halftime break ready to play and it showed on the scoreboard as the Celtics got outscored by 50-27 to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season. The Celtics’ bench combined for just 13 points, with Payton Pritchard shooting zero of five to finish scoreless. The Celtics will play against the Kings and Pelicans following this one.
Denver Nuggets
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in pretty good form lately as they’ve won four of their last five games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Spurs in a 122-111 overtime road win on Saturday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 46 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists on 19 of 35 shooting, Michael Porter Jr added 28 points with 10 rebounds while Jamal Murray chipped in with 13 points, six assists, and five steals.
As a team, the Nuggets shot 43 percent from the field and 10 of 33 from the 3-point line. The Nuggets struggled for most of the game before they rallied back from a 12-point deficit to force overtime where they dominated the Spurs by 14-3 to win comfortably in the end. The Nuggets will play the Clippers, Nets, and Mavericks next.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs.
- The Celtics have lost 14 of their last 21 games as road favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 10 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Nuggets have lost five of their last six games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last six road games following a loss.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last 11 home games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Celtics’ last seven road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Nuggets vs Celtics Prediction
The Celtics are coming into this one with a full roster, while the Nuggets are still missing Aaron Gordon and Spencer Jones. The Celtics have cooled off a bit lately, and they will be kicking themselves after dropping a big loss to the Thunder on Sunday. You would expect them to heat up again in a flash now that they have all their key pieces back. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will be full of confidence after exacting their revenge with a comeback overtime win over the Spurs in their last game, so we should be in for a good contest in this one. The Celtics are certainly tempting at the short line, but Nikola Jokic has been on an absolute tear, so I actually think the Nuggets are great value as the underdogs at home.
