The Boston Celtics (11-8) play their second consecutive game in as many days Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings (9-11) at the Golden 1 Center. The tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Celtics-Kings NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Celtics ended up covering and winning 111-107 against the Golden State Warriors in what was a pretty seesaw battle last night. The victory snapped a two-game skid for Boston, who’s 3-2 overall and 4-1 against the spread in its last five games.
Sacramento wrapped up a four-game road trip by beating the New Orleans Pelicans 118-109 and covering as 2.5-point underdogs. The Kings were 3-1 overall in that road trip (4-0 ATS) and have covered five straight games entering Wednesday.
These teams split last season’s series 1-1, but Sacramento has covered three straight vs. Boston. The Celtics have beaten the Kings in five of their last six meetings.
Celtics at Kings: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Kings -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Celtics +1.5 (-120) | Kings -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Celtics at Kings: Key injuries
Celtics
- SG Marcus Smart (calf) out
- PG Payton Pritchard (knee) out
- PG Kemba Walker (rest) out
Kings
- PF Nemanja Bjelica (back) doubtful
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Celtics at Kings: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Celtics 114, Kings 107
Money line (ML)
I could end up sounding stupid here, but the price of Boston’s money line is too cheap in this spot. I get that Boston’s win last night over Golden State isn’t as impressive when you dig a little deeper into the numbers.
But, if you watched the game you could tell that the Celtics weren’t happy with their performance despite the win and cover. The Warriors were down C James Wiseman, they lost C Kevon Looney in the first half after he rolled his ankle, and Boston knows they should’ve stomped Golden State.
My prediction is that Boston head coach Brad Stevens is going to sell his team on how lucky they were to escape last night with a victory, and he’ll have the Celtics motivated for this game.
Boston knows they need to go on a little streak after a shaky end to January. Jayson Tatum wasn’t nearly as aggressive as he should have been last night, and Jaylen Brown had an off-shooting night.
TAKE CELTICS (-110) for 1 unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS and just stick with Boston’s money line. However, Boston covering its last seven in games with no rest further solidifies my argument made above.
Over/Under (O/U)
Since the sharps are presumably backing the Under, I lean UNDER 223.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit. According to Pregame.com, nearly 70% of the total bets placed is on the Over while 65% of the money wagered is on the Under.
Typically, the money column is the sharp side of the market, and the “bets placed” column is public money. Bookmakers have moved this total down from the 227-point opener because they fear the sharp money.
The major concern I have about the Under in this game is the Kings have the worst defensive rating in the NBA, and the assigned officiating crew has a combined 25-15 O/U record this season.
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Also see:
- Boston Celtics Week 7 power rankings: close losses hint at need for help (Celtics Wire)
- Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Immanuel Quickley floats to the top spot (Rookie Wire)
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