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The Boston Celtics (48-13) travel to meet the Denver Nuggets (42-20) Thursday at Ball Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Celtics lead 1-0 after 102-100 win in Boston on Jan. 19. The Nuggets covered as a 7-point underdog, and the Under (234) cashed.
The Celtics are still likely smarting after a 105-104 collapse in Cleveland on Tuesday in a game which the Cavs didn’t even have leading scorer Donovan Mitchell (knee). The stunning comeback by the Cavs in the 4th quarter halted a 11-game winning streak, and 6-game cover run, for the Celtics.
The Nuggets suffered a 117-107 OT loss against the Phoenix Suns at home on Tuesday, and that splashed cold water on a 6-game winning streak for Denver. The Nuggets were 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in the 6 games prior to the loss to Phoenix.
As far as the total is concerned, Boston has cashed the Under in 2 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 outings. For Denver, the Under is 4-1 in the past 5 contests, too.
Celtics at Nuggets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Nuggets -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Celtics -1.5 (+100) | Nuggets +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Nuggets key injuries
Celtics
- G Jaylen Brown (pelvis) questionable
Nuggets
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Celtics at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 111, Nuggets 107
Moneyline
The CELTICS (-105) head to the Mile High City looking to wash the bad taste out of their mouth from the stunning loss in Cleveland. A win against the defending champs will feel satisfactory, and it’s a good play.
The Nuggets (-115) were tripped up by the Devin Booker-less Suns last time out at home. Boston is a good play on the road, as it looks for the regular-season series sweep in this potential NBA Finals preview.
Against the spread
The CELTICS -1.5 (+100) are an even better play at even-money, as Boston simply needs to win by a single bucket.
The Nuggets +1.5 (-120) have covered 5 of the past 7 outings, but it has failed to cover the past 2 games at home, against the Suns and the Miami Heat.
The Celtics are still 6-1 ATS in the past 7 games despite Tuesday’s non-cover. Look for Boston to get untracked with a big win against a fellow contender.
Over/Under
UNDER 221.5 (-110) is worth a look in this marquee matchup.
The total has gone low in 4 of the past 5 games for both of these teams. When the teams met in Beantown on Jan. 19, we had 202 combined points, and the Under (234) was never threatened.
The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 road games against Western Conference teams for the Celtics, too, while the total has gone low in 4 of the past 5 home games for the Nuggets against Eastern Conference squads.
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