The San Antonio Spurs (19-55) battle the Boston Celtics (51-23) Sunday. Tip from TD Garden is set for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Spurs vs. Celtics odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics beat the Spurs 121-116 on Jan 7, failing to cover as a 15-point road favorite while the Over 234 hit.
San Antonio lost to the Washington Wizards 136-124 Friday, failing to cover as a 9-point road underdog. It is 0-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 3 games. The Spurs are 4-5 ATS in their last 9 games and 30-44 ATS on the season.
Boston beat the Indiana Pacers 120-95 Friday, covering as an 11-point favorite. They are 4-1 straight up and 3-2 ATS in the last 5 games. Boston is 39-34-1 ATS on the season.
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Spurs at Celtics odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Spurs +1025 (bet $100 to win $1,025) | Celtics -1700 (bet $1,700 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Spurs +15.5 (-102) | Celtics -15.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): Off the board
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Spurs at Celtics key injuries
Spurs
- F Keldon Johnson (foot) questionable
Celtics
- G Jaylen Brown (fracture) available
- F Jayson Tatum (hip) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Spurs at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 133, Spurs 112
Moneyline
AVOID.
The moneyline is unplayable with -1700 far too pricey to take.
Against the spread
LEAN CELTICS -16.5 (-118).
The Celtics should destroy San Antonio. The Celtics have covered 2 straight and 3 of their last 4. They have covered their last 2 home games as well. Boston is 20-16 ATS as the home side this season.
The Spurs are 0-3 ATS over their last 3 and are 1-7 ATS over their last 7 road games. They do not perform well on the road and could be down their leading scorer.
Put it all together and lean CELTICS -16.5 (-118).
Over/Under
The Spurs have the worst defense in the NBA, ranking last in opponents’ field goal percentage (50.6%), opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage (39.3%) and opponents’ points per game (122.3).
They do average 112.3 points per game as well and have scored 120 or more in 2 of their last 4. The Over is 4-3 in their last 7. The Spurs also rank 4th in pace. Boston sits 18th, so this game should be played at a high tempo.
The Celtics rank 4th in points per game (117.9) and should be able to abuse the weak Spurs’ defense. Boston has gone Over in 3 of their last 4 games and has scored at least 120 in 3 of their last 4.
The total wasn’t available, but if it’s set at 231.5, back the Over.
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