Breaking news: Celtics WR send a message to their head coach.
The LA Clippers (29-14) and Boston Celtics (35-10) give us a potential NBA Finals preview Saturday with tip-off from TD Garden set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Clippers vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Celtics lead 1-0
The Clippers exterminated the Toronto Raptors 127-107 Friday night. We cashed all 3 wagers in that one, including a +138 three-leg parlay! Congrats if you tailed us on those.
LA has won 4 in a row and 7 of 8 as it has quietly thrust itself among the powerhouses in the West. It’s 2 games behind the OKC Thunder, who are likely to regress, for the top spot in the conference.
The Celtics cruised to a 143-110 W over the Miami Heat Thursday night. It may have come at a cost, though, as C Kristaps Porzingis was helped off the floor with a sprained ankle. “The Unicorn” had 19 points in 20 minutes before exiting.
The Celtics destroyed a Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers team 145-108 Dec. 23.
Clippers at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Clippers +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Celtics -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +6.5 (-105) | Celtics -6.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Clippers at Celtics key injuries
Clippers
Not yet submitted
Celtics
C Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Clippers at Celtics and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 123, Clippers 120
Moneyline
There may be some carryover for the Clippers playing a back-to-back, but PG13 was on a minutes restriction Friday night. He only played 28 minutes, and Leonard played 30. Do NOT count the Clippers out here. Yes, they played last night, and Boston is 20-1 at home, but this Clippers team is for real.
That said, I think Boston finds a way, so PASS here and hit the spread.
Against the spread
This line was more attractive at +7.5 earlier Saturday morning, but Porzingis has since been ruled out. The Clippers monitored their minutes Friday night in a non-stressful game.
I absolutely love CLIPPERS +6.5 (-105).
Over/Under
LA has posted 125+ in 4 straight games and 7 of 8. Boston has gone for 116+ in 3 straight and 4 of 5. There were 253 points scored in the 1st matchup without Leonard as the Over 231.5 cruised.
