The Boston Celtics (40-17) conclude their four-game road trip Wednesday against the Utah Jazz (36-21) at Vivint Smart Home Arena at 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Celtics-Jazz odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Celtics at Jazz: Key injuries
Celtics
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) doubtful
- C Robert Williams III (hip) out
Jazz
- C Ed Davis (ankle) out
Celtics at Jazz: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Winning team score, Losing team score
Moneyline (ML)
After winning four straight games heading into the All-Star break, the Jazz have lost three in a row coming out of it. The Celtics are in the second game of a back-to-back after beating the Portland Trail Blazers 118-106 Tuesday.
Boston has been playing much better basketball than Utah recently. The Celtics have won 13 of their past 16 games with the only three losses coming on the road against the surging New Orleans Pelicans (123-108, Jan. 26), the Houston Rockets (116-105, Feb. 11) and the Los Angeles Lakers (114-112) this past Sunday. The Jazz are 4-8 over their last 12 games, which includes bad home losses to the Phoenix Suns (131-111, Monday) and the San Antonio Spurs (113-104, Feb. 21).
The CELTICS (+155) are worthy of a moneyline wager.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
TAKE CELTICS +4.5 (-110). Boston has been an awesome 17-10-1 against the spread in road games this year and the Jazz are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games at home. The Celtics are 9-6 ATS against winning teams on the road while Utah is 4-5-1 ATS at home against winning teams. Furthermore, the Jazz are just 12-14-1 ATS with a minus-3.1 point margin as a home favorite and the Celtics have a fourth-best 9-4 ATS record with a plus-4.1 average ATS margin as a road dog.
Over/Under (O/U)
I lean toward the Under (+100) but ultimately will PASS on the 218.5 total. Both teams are very good defensively; Boston is fourth in defensive rating and opponent points per game while Utah is ninth in opponent points per game and opponent field-goal percentage. I am passing though because the Over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings in Utah and the Over is -121, meaning the market feels like there will be a lot of points scored in this one.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]