Spurs vs. Celtics Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Andrew Rogers
The Celtics (33-30) are clinging to the final automatic first-round playoff berth in the Eastern Conference and can strengthen their hold with a victory. The Spurs (31-30), on the other hand, are all but locked into a spot in a Western Conference play-in game.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Celtics have the edge in the oddsmakers’ eyes, but they’re just 2-4 against the spread in their previous six games and have been a mild ATS disappointment this season at 31-32. The Spurs are riding a 5-1-1 ATS streak over their previous seven games and are an impressive 33-27-1 ATS for the year. And we’re saving the best for last: San Antonio is an incredible 20-8-1 against the spread in 29 road games so far this season.
Sports Interaction bettors are paying no mind to that trend, taking the Celtics -4.5 at a whopping 85-percent clip. The total trend is nearly as one-sided, with 83 percent of respondents siding with the O219.5 (which carries identical -110 odds to the U219.5 play). The Spurs have been a strong Under play of late, having gone 2-6 O/U in their previous eight games – but the teams have cashed the Over in eight of their last 10 head-to-head meetings.
San Antonio Spurs
A season-ending ankle injury to standout guard Derrick White is a major concern for a Spurs team that might be a favourite to participate in the play-in round, but hasn’t clinched anything yet. And the schedule does San Antonio absolutely no favours: After Friday night’s game in Boston, the Spurs will play seven of their final 10 games against teams currently ranked in the top-three in their respective conferences.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics will have a key injury absence of their own (Kemba Walker is considered doubtful for Friday’s game) but are much healthier than they’ve been in recent weeks. Both Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams III have returned to the lineup and should give the Celtics a sizable edge up front over the Spurs. Tatum, in particular, has been a matchup nightmare this season and is coming off a 35-8-8 performance against Charlotte last time out.
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