[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Boston Celtics (2-0) take on the Washington Wizards (1-1) Monday at Capital One Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Wizards and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Celtics won last year’s series 2-1
The Celtics are atop the Atlantic Division, as expected, but their margin of victories have been quite close. The Celtics beat the Miami Heat 119-111 on Friday as their starters carried the team with just 8 points scored by players off the bench.
The Wizards beat the winless Memphis Grizzles 113-106 on Saturday for their 1st victory. Washington won the turnover battle 18-12 and shot 13 more free throws. SG Jordan Poole led the team with 27 points, but hit only 8 of 23 shots.
Celtics at Wizards odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -500 (bet $500 to win $100) | Wizards +375 (bet $100 to win $375)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -9.5 (-115) | Wizards +9.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Celtics at Wizards key injuries
Celtics
- None
Wizards
- C Daniel Gafford (ankle) questionable
- SG Landry Shamet (toe) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Celtics at Wizards picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 118, Wizards 114
Moneyline
Washington’s defense has been atrocious so far. They have the 29th-best defense in field goals made per game and are 30th in made 3-pointers per game. The Celtics are the better team but at -500 there is no point in taking them straight up.
PASS.
Against the spread
The books are giving the Wizards nearly 10 points at home. Now, Washington isn’t supposed to be good this year, but Boston is 0-1-1 ATS this season. And Boston’s 3-point defense is 29th in the league which makes it tough to hold a sizable lead.
LEAN WIZARDS +9.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Boston has the best defense against 2-point shots this season (35.7%). But Washington has been relying on their 3-ball to generate offense with 37% of the shots taken by the Wizards from beyond the arc. The Celtics will have a tough time defending them.
BET OVER 229.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ethan Matthew on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]