The Los Angeles Clippers (17-17) travel to TD Garden Wednesday to take on the Boston Celtics (16-18). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Clippers vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Clippers might have the better record coming into this game, but they’ve been far from profitable to bet on. At just 15-19 ATS, the Clippers are 2-2 ATS as road underdogs. They’ll be without their top-two scorers in this one.
As for the Celtics, they’re a tad better at 17-15-2 ATS this season. However, they’ll again miss their leading scorer, Jayson Tatum, who is in the league’s health and safety protocols.
Both teams are stronger defensively than offensively with the Celtics ninth in defensive rating and the Clippers ranking fourth.
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Clippers 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 Wednesday at 1:55 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Clippers +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Celtics -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +5.5 (-105) | Celtics -5.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Clippers at Celtics key injuries
Clippers
- G Reggie Jackson (health and safety protocols) out
- F Paul George (elbow) out
- F Nicolas Batum (ankle) out
Celtics
- G Dennis Schroder (health and safety protocols) out
- G Marcus Smart (hand) questionable
- F Jayson Tatum (health and safety protocols) out
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Clippers at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 108, Clippers 101
Money line
PASS on the money line.
Paul George’s absence has boosted the Clippers’ odds, but without Jackson or Batum as well, their chances to pull off an upset are slim. Similarly, the Celtics (-250), especially with a sub-.500 record, has little value.
Against the spread
BET on the CELTICS -5.5 (-120) as the lack of scoring for the Clippers should open a big opportunity for Boston at home. Replacing Jackson and George is no easy task, and while Tatum is out, the Celtics will still have Brown taking the floor.
Given that one team has their All-Star-caliber forward and the other does not, the advantage goes to the Celtics. The Clippers are 3-5 without George, having lost three of those games by 9 or more points.
Typically, Clippers C Ivica Zubac steps up and helps the scoring load. With an elite defender in C Al Horford in the paint for Boston, Zubac’s second chance opportunities should be limited.
The difference should be who is playing for Boston and isn’t for Los Angeles. I’ll take the side with the more All-Stars on the court.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 210.5 (-115) as the Celtics are one of the best teams at getting to the line, and the Clippers have the best defensive free-throw rate in the NBA.
Los Angeles does a great job at defending and not fouling while the Celtics shoot the sixth-most free throws per game in the league. Boston won’t get those easy points in this one.
Also, it’s been wildly unprofitable to bet on more points for both teams. Boston is just 14-19-1 O/U with the Clippers at 14-20 O/U. Both teams are down their top scorer as well which should lead to inconsistent offense.
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