The Boston Celtics (3-2) welcome the Washington Wizards (3-2) to TD Garden Sunday. Tip is set for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Wizards vs. Celtics odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics have lost 2 straight games after winning their first 3 to start the season. Those losses were at the Chicago Bulls Monday (120-102) and in overtime to the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday (132-123).
Boston is led by superstar F Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 32.4 points per game and shooting a remarkable 56% from the field and 38.5% from deep.
Washington may have finally found G Bradley Beal his sidekick in F Kyle Kuzma. The pair respectively average 22.6 and 20.4 points per game.
The Wizards won their first 2 contests to start the year before losing to Cleveland in overtime last Sunday. They got back on track with a win over the Detroit Pistons Tuesday (120-99) but fell 127-117 to the Indiana Pacers last time out Friday. Beal led the Wizards with 31 points in the loss.
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Wizards 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 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wizards +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Celtics -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wizards +8.5 (-110) | Celtics -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Wizards at Celtics key injuries
Wizards
- G Corey Kispert (ankle) out
- G Delon Wright (hamstring) out
Celtics
- G Malcolm Brogdon (back) questionable
- C Robert Williams III (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Wizards at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 116, Wizards 106
Moneyline
PASS.
The Wizards and Celtics have both struggled as of late, but Boston (-400), especially at home, should be favored by this many. I’ll back the spread but can’t recommend playing the moneyline due to lack of value.
Against the spread
BET CELTICS -8.5 (-110).
It is impressive that the Wizards are above .500, but they haven’t beaten many quality teams. Washington has beaten the Pacers, Bulls and Pistons — all sub-.500 opponents.
The Celtics finished last season No. 1 in defensive rating and sit No. 1 in effective field goal rate and true shooting percentage. Their roster is deep and has top-tier superstars.
Tatum is having an MVP-caliber season as well. The Celtics have the better defensive team and have more quality wins. Boston is 41-38-1 ATS as a favorite since last season.
Back the Celtics to win as the Wizards’ record inflates how good the team actually is.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 225.5 (-115).
Neither team ranks in the top 20 in pace and neither team is great at rebounding either. Washington is 2-3 O/U this season and doesn’t have the explosiveness to compete with defenders like G Marcus Smart and F Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics’ defense should improve this season as well, and the pace clearly favors fewer possessions which should then yield fewer points and hopefully a win for UNDER 225.5 (-115) bettors.
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