The Boston Celtics (48-22) travel West to face the Portland Trail Blazers (31-38) on Friday at Moda Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Trail Blazers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics beat the the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-102 on Wednesday despite not covering as 4-point road favorites. Boston is 2 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Trail Blazers failed to cover as 3-point home underdogs in their 123-107 loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Portland is on a 4-game losing streak and is currently the No. 13 seed in the Western Conference.
The Celtics and the Trail Blazers will duke it out for the 2nd time this season. Boston won 115-98 on March 8, covering as 9.5-point home favorites while the 230.5 Under hit.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3003″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3006″ ]
[betwidget_tipico]
Celtics at Trail Blazers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -4.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Celtics at Trail Blazers key injuries
Celtics
- F Jayson Tatum (hip) questionable
- C Robert Williams III (hamstring) out
Trail Blazers
- G Damian Lillard (calf) probable
- F Jerami Grant (quad) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Trail Blazers picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 120, Trail Blazers 114
Moneyline
AVOID.
Assuming that Tatum is active for the Celtics, taking them in a parlay isn’t the worst idea, but they aren’t worth taking straight up at the current -190 odds.
Against the spread
CELTICS -4.5 (-110) is how I’d bet the spread if Tatum is available to play. Boston realizes it can gain ground on Milwaukee for the No. 1 seed with a win after the Bucks surprisingly lost to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
The Celtics are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 road meetings against the Trail Blazers.
Over/Under
BET OVER 229.5 (-115).
Both of these teams are top 8 in offensive rating and Lillard is expected to suit up for the Trail Blazers. The Celtics are 6-1 to the Over in their last 7 games against a team with a losing record, and the Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]