The Boston Celtics head west as they take on the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on Tuesday night.
Boston needs a win badly to stop their current slide. The Celtics have dropped five out of their last seven assignments and head to the Chase Center after suffering back to back losses to the San Antonio Spurs and L.A. Lakers. The Warriors meanwhile have won three out of their last four games played and are coming off a blowout win over the Detroit Pistons last weekend.
The Celtics are off to a 10-8 start and are 3rd in the Atlantic Division team standings and are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games behind the Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia 76ers. Since taking a COVID-19 imposed break, the Celtics are just 3-5 and head to this game with a two-game losing streak.
In their last game, Boston dropped a close 96-95 loss to the L.A. Lakers. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 30 points and 9 rebounds while Jaylen Brown added 27 points as Boston lost for the fifth time in their last seven games. The Celtics played the final 10 minutes of the game without guard Marcus Smart who suffered a left calf strain after colliding with Montrezl Harrell. Smart is expected to miss one to two weeks and won’t suit up for this game.
Boston is the 16th highest-scoring team in the league at 111.6 points per game. They have the 8th best scoring defense in the NBA at 109.2 points per game allowed. The Celtics are ranked 15th in rebounding at 44.3 board grabbed per contest and are 25th in passing at 22.8 assists per game.
The Golden State Warriors are 11-9 on the season and they are in 4th place in the tough Pacific Division team standings. The Dubs are currently in 7th place in the Western Conference and are 4.5 games behind the conference leaders L.A. Clippers. Golden State has won five out of the eight games they have played since their January 15th game against the Suns was postponed.
The Dubs are coming off a 118-91 Saturday win over the Detroit Pistons. Steph Curry knocked down six three-pointers en route to 28 points as the Warriors raced to an early lead and never looked back. Andrew Wiggins scored 20 points while Kelly Oubre Jr. added 18 markers for the Dubs. Rookie James Wiseman contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds as h came off the bench for the 4th straight game.
Golden State has the 13th best scoring offense in the league at 112.4 points per game scored. They are tied for 5th in passing at 26.5 assists per game and are tied for 17th in rebounding at 44.2 boards grabbed per contest. The Dubs have the 8th worst scoring defense in the NBA at 113.3 points per game allowed.
The Celtics are 2-5 SU in their last seven games played. Boston is 2-3 ATS in their last five games played on the road, and 9-3 SU in their last 12 February games. The Warriors are 3-1 SU in their last four games played. Golden State is 4-2 SU in their last six games played at home, 2-9 SU in their last 11 games played against the Atlantic Division, 1-8 SU in their last nine February games. Head to head, the Celtics are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Warriors and have won the last three.
Boston has struggled since going on their forced COVID-19 break but despite losing their last two games, they lost to the Lakers and Spurs by a total of five points.
Jayson Tatum has looked strong in his return and Boston needs him to continue playing hot. Marcus Smart is out with an injury but with Tatum back, the Celtics should be in good shape here.
Golden State has won three out of their last four games, winning those games via double digit margin. Steph Curry continues to wax hot but he will need consistent scoring support from his teammates. Draymond Green is doing a great job as the playmaker but he will have o score points. The Warriors will be without James Wiseman for one to two weeks, and his production will be missed.
This will be more than a battle between the league’s 6th best scorer in Steph Curry and the 8th ranked Jaylen Brown. With Jayson Tatum back, the Warriors may not have enough firepower to stand and trade with the Celtics. Boston was just unlucky that the breaks didn’t go their way in their last two games. But those losses don’t take away the fact that they have been more consistent than the Warriors this season. Give me the steadier team.
Prediction: Boston Celtics
Boston is 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games played. Boston is 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games played on the road, and 5-0 ATS in their last five games played against the Pacific Division. The Warriors are 11-9 ATS in their last 20 games played. Golden State is 4-1 ATS in their last five games played at home, and 2-4 ATS in their last six Tuesday games. Head to head, the Celtics are 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Warriors.
Golden State has been hard to figure this season. Sometimes they look like a playoff team. At times, we’ve seen them get blown out in games. Boston is the much deeper team here and they have more firepower in their roster, even without Marcus Smart. The Dubs rely too much on Steph Curry while the Celtics have Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker on hand. I like the Celtics to cover this small spread on the road.
Prediction: Celtics -3
The total has gone under in six out of the last 10 games played by the Celtics. The under is 3-2 in Boston’s last five games played on the road, and 7-2 in their last nine games played against the Pacific Division The total has gone over in four out of the last six games played by the Warriors. The under is 7-5 in Golden State’s last 12 games played at home, 4-1 in their last five games played against the Eastern Conference. Head to head, the total has gone under in each of the last nine games played between these two teams. The under is also 5-0 in their last five meetings in Oakland.
The Celtics are one of the league’s top defensive teams this season and they have conceded 110 or fewer points in eight out of their last 10 assignments, including 105 or fewer in five out of their last seven. On the other hand, the Warriors have topped 118 points in three out of their last five games played. However, Boston’s defense-even without Smart should be able to limit the Dubs.
Prediction: Under 225.5
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