The Golden State Warriors (47-22) host the Boston Celtics (41-28) Wednesday at Chase Center for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off (ESPN). Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Warriors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Boston had its five-game win streak — 4-1 against the spread (ATS) — snapped in a 96-92 loss at home to the Dallas Mavericks Sunday as a 6.5-point home favorite.
Golden State pummeled the Washington Wizards 126-112 as 11.5-point home favorites Monday in Warriors PF Draymond Green‘s return to action after being sidelined with an injury since Jan. 9.
Green only played 20 minutes but his presence certainly played a part in Steph Curry‘s 47-point performance against the Wizards.
The Warriors beat the Celtics 111-107 in Boston Dec. 17, pushing as 4-point road favorites. However, the Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last eight visits to Golden State.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA March 16 breakdown
Celtics at Warriors 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 2:24 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Celtics +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Warriors -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Celtics +1.5 (-105) | Warriors -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Celtics at Warriors key injuries
Celtics
- None
Warriors
- SF Andre Iguodala (back) out
- SF Andrew Wiggins (illness) questionable
[tipico]
Celtics at Warriors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 116, Warriors 112
Money line
LEAN CELTICS (+110) because I like Boston’s spread and generally will “sprinkle” on an underdog’s ML when betting them to cover.
However, I’m not taking a real stab at the Celtics’ ML unless it goes north of +125 since the Warriors are much better in close games and are 28-7 SU as home favorites.
That said, the Celtics’ All-Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are too much for Warriors’ Draymond Green to handle. Wiggins is a fine player but can’t bring it defensively like Draymond.
Tatum has balled in his head-to-head meetings with Draymond and the Celtics are 6-3 SU versus the Warriors when both Tatum and Draymond play. Tatum is averaging an efficient 21.7 points per game (PPG) on .465/.365/.898 shooting in those nine meetings.
Tatum has also turned it up following the All-Star Game and is playing up to expectations. Tatum is scoring 33.3 PPG since the All-Star break on 60.6% true shooting (.475/.378/.870) with a plus-8 net rating.
I think Boston ultimately wins this game but I’m not in love with the Celtics (+110) price.
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Against the spread
BET CELTICS +1.5 (-105) for 1 unit because they are slightly more efficient and profitable than the Warriors in these spots.
Boston has a better ATS record on the road versus teams with a winning record than Golden State does at home versus winning teams.
Boston is also second in both adjusted net rating (plus-3.8) and ATS margin (plus-4.3) versus teams in the top-10 of net efficiency according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).
Both teams are in the top-10 of defensive efficiency but the Celtics are second in adjusted net rating versus top-10 defenses (the Warriors are third). Boston has a plus-3.7 ATS margin (ranked second) in those spots while Golden State has a minus-0.2 ATS margin (ranked 12th), per CTG.
The CELTICS PLUS THE POINTS are my favorite wager in this game.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 218.5 (-115) because Boston is 18-13 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 8-6-1 O/U as a road underdog with a plus-6.6 total margin. Both teams are also scoring more than 4 points per game greater post-All-Star break.
However, it’s only a LEAN to the OVER 218.5 (-115) because the Under has been hit by a sharp line move and I’m more confident in Boston’s spread.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]