The Golden State Warriors (23-5) travel to TD Garden Friday to take on the Boston Celtics (14-14). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Warriors vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Warriors have been the best team in the NBA this season due to a combination of their league-best defense and a thriving, efficient offense led by two-time MVP G Stephen Curry.
They’re covering at the second-highest rate in the NBA with an 18-9-1 record but are just 5-4 ATS as away favorites.
The Celtics have been disappointing as they try to get G Jaylen Brown back to full strength. Brown and F Jayson Tatum are both expected to play Friday. Boston is 14-13-1 ATS and 1-0 ATS as a home underdog.
Warriors at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:18 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Warriors -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Celtics +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Warriors -3.5 (-120) | Celtics +3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Warriors at Celtics key injuries
Warriors
- G Jordan Poole (Health and Safety Protocols) out
Celtics
- None
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Warriors at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 108, Warriors 104
Money line
PASS on the money line.
I don’t love the Warriors at -170. I’d rather take the points, but if there is value here, it’s in the Celtics at +135. The Warriors are a minorly upgraded version of their team last season with Poole sidelined.
Against the spread
BET on the CELTICS +3.5 (-105) as they should show up at home on a Friday night. The Warriors are also in the middle of a lengthy east coast road trip.
Golden State is down its third-best scorer and taking on a team with two elite defenders, all Boston will need to slow down F Andrew Wiggins and Curry, it could be tough for the Warriors to get going.
The Celtics rank top 10 in turnover rate and defensive rating. Keeping the ball and limiting Golden State should be a key for Boston in this game and behind two star forwards I’d bet they’re able to do just that.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-112) as this game may be full of superstars, but the defensive play should be what takes the spotlight. Also, the Warriors have been the least profitable Over team this season.
They’re just 7-20-1 on the Over/Under with the Celtics at just 11-16-1. Despite a low total, knowing both teams’ strength is in their defensive play, there’s no way to reason to the Over here.
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