After kicking off their schedule with a convincing win over New York, the Boston Celtics hit the road on Thursday for a date with the Washington Wizards.
The Celtics showed no signs of a championship hangover in Tuesday’s victory, and arrive in the nation’s capital looking to open their campaign with consecutive wins for a fourth straight year. The Wizards have nowhere to go but up when they take the floor for Thursday’s home opener. Washington led only Detroit last season with 15 wins and posted a league-low seven victories on home court.
The Celtics enter their first road game of the season perched as heavy 13.5-point favourites on the Thursday NBA odds. The Wizards lag as distant +625 underdogs on the NBA moneyline and the total is pegged at 232.5.
Celtics vs. Wizards NBA Betting Odds
Thursday’s matchup at Capitol One Arena marks the first of three meetings this season between these NBA Eastern Conference rivals. The Celtics swept all four dates with the Wizards last season including a pair of victories in Washington by an average margin of 22.5 points and have now claimed victory in eight of their past nine meetings.
In addition to claiming their 18th NBA championship title last season, the Celtics also led the NBA with 120.6 points scored per game and compiled an Eastern Conference-leading 27-14 record on the road. However, the Celtics were also a shaky bet on the road, going just 19-19-3 against the spread away from TD Garden.
The Wizards return to action looking to overcome a 1-9 run to end last season’s schedule. Washington also lost six of its final seven home dates but are undefeated against the spread in their past four as double-digit home underdogs.
Boston Celtics
On Tuesday night, Jayson Tatum picked up right where he left off in last season’s march to an NBA title. The five-time NBA All-Star led the Celtics attack with 37 points and 10 assists and is a lucrative +1250 bet on the NBA player props to record his first triple-double of the season. That is bad news for the Wizards, who allowed Tatum to average 32.7 points per game in three dates last season.
However, the Celtics remain without Kristaps Porzingis heading into their first road date of the season. The talented Latvian big man remains sidelined indefinitely as he continues to recover from offseason foot surgery.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards will feature an intriguing mix of youth and veterans in their lineup when they hit the hardwood for Thursday’s home opener. Jordan Poole is expected to take on a leadership role in Washington after finishing second in scoring in his first season with club. Poole averaged 23 points per game over his final four appearances to finish last season with 17.7 points per game and needed just 18 minutes to score 16 points in last week’s 118-117 preseason win over the Knicks.
Thursday’s contest will also provide NBA betting fans with their first close-up look at power forward Alex Sarr. The towering 19-year-old was selected second overall in this year’s NBA draft after averaging 9.4 points per game in his lone season with Perth of Australia’s National Basketball League. But after being hobbled by a calf injury that limited his preseason availability, it would not be a surprise to see the Wizards use Sarr sparingly in his NBA debut against the defending champions.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Wizards?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 27 Aug 3:04pm | WAS | -13.5 -110 | O +233.5 -110 |
| Closing 12 Sep 4:04am | WAS | -13.5 -105 | O +230.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
28.17 |
| Assists |
5.74 |
| Rebounds |
8.87 |
| FG% |
66 |
| Steals |
1.22 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
20.4 |
| Assists |
5 |
| Rebounds |
8.09 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.6 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
- Regular Season
Wizards Team Leaders
| Points |
28.17 |
| Assists |
5.74 |
| Rebounds |
8.87 |
| FG% |
66 |
| Steals |
1.22 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
20.4 |
| Assists |
5 |
| Rebounds |
8.09 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.6 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
Injuries
Sam Hauser (SF)
Jaden Springer (PG)
Jayson Tatum (SF)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Al Horford (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Al Horford (C)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Sam Hauser (SF)
Jayson Tatum (SF)
Richaun Holmes (PF)
Alexandre Sarr (C)
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF)
Corey Kispert (SF)
Kyshawn George (SF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Tristan Vukcevic (SF)
Jordan Poole (SG)
Alexandre Sarr (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hauser (SF) | Ques Sun | Thigh - 11 / 12 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hauser is battling a thigh injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Wizards on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jaden Springer (PG) | Ques Sun | Illness - 11 / 12 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Springer is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Wizards on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jayson Tatum (SF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 11 / 12 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Tatum is tending a right patella tendinopathy, and it unknown if he will take the court against the Wizards on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 08 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Porzingis left the with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will be on court against Piston on Thursday. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Ques Thurs | Toe - 07 / 12 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Horford is nursing a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will play Thursday versus Piston. |
|||||
| Derrick White (PG) | Prob Sat | Foot - 07 / 12 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
White is nursing a foot injury, but he is expected to be active against Grizzlies on Saturday. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Ques Fri | Toe - 05 / 12 / 24 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Horford is bothered by a toe injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Bucks on Friday. |
|||||
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Ques Sat | Leg - 05 / 12 / 24 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Porzingis is nursing an lower leg injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against Grizzlies on Saturday. |
|||||
| Sam Hauser (SF) | Out | Personal - 03 / 12 / 24 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hauser has been out of the lineup due to personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Jayson Tatum (SF) | Ques Fri | Knee - 03 / 12 / 24 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Tatum is nursing with right patella tendinopathy, and it is unclear if he will play Friday's game against the Bucks. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richaun Holmes (PF) | Ques Fri | Illness - 08 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Holmes left the game with a illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Alexandre Sarr (C) | Ques Fri | Back - 07 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Sarr is dealing with a back injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Malcolm Brogdon (SG) | Out Fri | Knee - 04 / 12 / 24 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Brogdon sat out the last two contests due to a knee injury, and he is unlikely to be active against the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Baldwin Jr. missed the previous game due to a right ankle soreness, and it is unknown if he will face the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Corey Kispert (SF) | Out Fri | Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Kispert is battling an ankle injury, and he is not projected to suit up against the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Kyshawn George (SF) | Out Fri | Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
George is dealing with a left ankle injury, and he is not expected to take the court against the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Out indefinitely | Ribs - 27 / 11 / 24 | 2-5 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Kuzma is out of commission due to a left rib strain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Tristan Vukcevic (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 25 / 11 / 24 | 2-5 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Vukcevic is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear how long he will be idle. |
|||||
| Jordan Poole (SG) | Ques Wed | Hip - 24 / 11 / 24 | 3-5 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Poole is dealing with left hip flexor soreness, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Clippers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Alexandre Sarr (C) | Ques Sun | Illness - 24 / 11 / 24 | 3-5 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Sarr is ailing from illness, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 27 Aug 3:04pm WAS -13.5 -110 O +233.5 -110 Closing 12 Sep 4:04am WAS -13.5 -105 O +230.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 28.17
Assists 5.74
Rebounds 8.87
FG% 66
Steals 1.22
Blocks 1.5
Points 20.4
Assists 5
Rebounds 8.09
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.6
Blocks 1.85
-
- Regular Season
Wizards Team Leaders
Points 28.17
Assists 5.74
Rebounds 8.87
FG% 66
Steals 1.22
Blocks 1.5
Points 20.4
Assists 5
Rebounds 8.09
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.6
Blocks 1.85
-
Injuries
Sam Hauser (SF)
Ques Sun Thigh - 11 / 12 / 24Jaden Springer (PG)
Ques Sun Illness - 11 / 12 / 24Jayson Tatum (SF)
Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 12 / 24Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 08 / 12 / 24Al Horford (C)
Ques Thurs Toe - 07 / 12 / 24Derrick White (PG)
Prob Sat Foot - 07 / 12 / 24Al Horford (C)
Ques Fri Toe - 05 / 12 / 24Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Ques Sat Leg - 05 / 12 / 24Sam Hauser (SF)
Out Personal - 03 / 12 / 24Jayson Tatum (SF)
Ques Fri Knee - 03 / 12 / 24Richaun Holmes (PF)
Ques Fri Illness - 08 / 12 / 24Alexandre Sarr (C)
Ques Fri Back - 07 / 12 / 24Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Out Fri Knee - 04 / 12 / 24Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24Corey Kispert (SF)
Out Fri Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24Kyshawn George (SF)
Out Fri Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Out indefinitely Ribs - 27 / 11 / 24Tristan Vukcevic (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 25 / 11 / 24Jordan Poole (SG)
Ques Wed Hip - 24 / 11 / 24Alexandre Sarr (C)
Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 11 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Sam Hauser (SF) Ques Sun Thigh - 11 / 12 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Hauser is battling a thigh injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Wizards on Sunday.
Jaden Springer (PG) Ques Sun Illness - 11 / 12 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Springer is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Wizards on Sunday.
Jayson Tatum (SF) Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 12 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Tatum is tending a right patella tendinopathy, and it unknown if he will take the court against the Wizards on Sunday.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 08 / 12 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Porzingis left the with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will be on court against Piston on Thursday.
Al Horford (C) Ques Thurs Toe - 07 / 12 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Horford is nursing a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will play Thursday versus Piston.
Derrick White (PG) Prob Sat Foot - 07 / 12 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - White is nursing a foot injury, but he is expected to be active against Grizzlies on Saturday.
Al Horford (C) Ques Fri Toe - 05 / 12 / 24 1-3 2-2 + - Horford is bothered by a toe injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Bucks on Friday.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Ques Sat Leg - 05 / 12 / 24 1-3 2-2 + - Porzingis is nursing an lower leg injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against Grizzlies on Saturday.
Sam Hauser (SF) Out Personal - 03 / 12 / 24 1-4 2-3 + - Hauser has been out of the lineup due to personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Jayson Tatum (SF) Ques Fri Knee - 03 / 12 / 24 1-4 2-3 + - Tatum is nursing with right patella tendinopathy, and it is unclear if he will play Friday's game against the Bucks.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Richaun Holmes (PF) Ques Fri Illness - 08 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Holmes left the game with a illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Cavaliers on Friday.
Alexandre Sarr (C) Ques Fri Back - 07 / 12 / 24 1-2 2-1 + - Sarr is dealing with a back injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Cavaliers on Friday.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG) Out Fri Knee - 04 / 12 / 24 1-3 2-2 + - Brogdon sat out the last two contests due to a knee injury, and he is unlikely to be active against the Cavaliers on Friday.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF) Ques Fri Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Baldwin Jr. missed the previous game due to a right ankle soreness, and it is unknown if he will face the Cavaliers on Friday.
Corey Kispert (SF) Out Fri Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Kispert is battling an ankle injury, and he is not projected to suit up against the Cavaliers on Friday.
Kyshawn George (SF) Out Fri Ankle - 03 / 12 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - George is dealing with a left ankle injury, and he is not expected to take the court against the Cavaliers on Friday.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Out indefinitely Ribs - 27 / 11 / 24 2-5 3-4 + - Kuzma is out of commission due to a left rib strain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Tristan Vukcevic (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 25 / 11 / 24 2-5 3-5 + - Vukcevic is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear how long he will be idle.
Jordan Poole (SG) Ques Wed Hip - 24 / 11 / 24 3-5 3-6 + - Poole is dealing with left hip flexor soreness, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Alexandre Sarr (C) Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 11 / 24 3-5 3-6 + - Sarr is ailing from illness, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Pacers on Sunday.