Thunder vs. Celtics Prediction
Can the Boston Celtics overcome their injuries to get past the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at 6PM ET?
507 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 508 Boston Celtics
Sunday, March 8, 2020
6PM ET – TD Garden
TV – NBA TV
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Celtics are the slight favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -3.5 points against the Thunder. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 219 points. The public betting currently is unavailable for this game. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
OKC off to strong start on road trip
Oklahoma City is on an East Coast road trip right now, but it has begun with wins over the Pistons and the Knicks thus far. The Thunder are 39-24 on the season, 19-11 on the road, 39-24 against the spread and 32-30-1 with the under.
The Thunder are giving up just 108.4 points per game on defense this season while holding opponents to 45.7 percent shooting. Offensively, Oklahoma City is putting up 110.9 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been leading the Thunder this season with 19.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Danilo Gallinari is adding 19.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.
Celtics struggle against Jazz
Boston has had trouble keeping its stars on the floor lately and the Celtics are coming off a 99-94 loss at home on Friday to the Utah Jazz for a third loss in four games. Boston comes into today’s game 42-20 overall, 23-8 at home, 38-22-2 against the spread and 33-29 with the under.
The Celtics are giving up just 106.8 points per game on defense this season while limiting opponents to 44.1 percent shooting. Offensively, Boston is averaging 113.1 points per game while shooting 46 percent as a team. The Celtics have had Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum miss recent games due to injuries and illness. Right now, Jaylen Brown is out for at least another week with a hamstring injury. All three met average over 20 points. Tatum is leading the team with 23.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Walker is averaging 21.6 points and 5.0 assists per game.
NBA Betting Trends
Oklahoma City
The Thunder are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games overall, but 8-0 ATS in their last eight Sunday games.
Boston
The Celtics have covered in five of their last six following a loss and they are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Prediction:
These two met back on Feb. 9 in OKC and Boston grabbed a 112-111 road win. The Celtics had nearly a 10-rebound advantage in the win and I think Boston can find a way to another win and cover today. The Thunder have had a pair of cupcakes to start their road trip, but now face a contender. OKC has struggled in recent games with the Clippers and Bucks and Boston has been able to handle their business for the most part in recent weeks. Event their losses are competitive, as two of the last three came in OT. With Tatum playing at a high level and Gordon Hayward expected to go today, I think Boston’s guard play will be the difference in this one. Boston is just a little better on both sides of the ball.
NBA Prediction: Boston Celtics -3.5