NBA Preview: Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets

The Boston Celtics (26-10) look to get back on the winning side when they battle the Denver Nuggets (20-14) at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, January 7 at 10:00 PM ET. The Celtics are favored on the road over at MyBookie with a -4.5 (-110) point spread.

Boston Celtics Betting Preview

The Celtics are coming off a 105-92 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder, breaking their three-game winning streak. This also marked the first time all season that they did not score over 100 points.

They had a great first half, scoring 65 points and holding the Thunder to 55. However, their offense took a major hit when the Thunder woke up, as they were held to just 27 points for the entire second half. Jayson Tatum stood out with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite a strong first half, the Celtics shot 36.5 percent from the field and a terrible 19.6 percent from three. Their defense had issues, as they allowed the Thunder to get 44.8 percent of their shots to fall and 42.1 percent of their three pointers.

The Celtics’ offense has typically been one of the best in the league, currently ranked fourth in points per game at 118.5. Their defense has held opponents to 108.3 points a game, ranking sixth. This is a comfortable margin, especially when they are making shots.

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Nuggets have gone 4-1 over their last five games. Their most recent battle was a 122-111 overtime thriller victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

They had three players in double digits for scoring, with Nikola Jokic leading with 46 points and 10 assists. Jokic was one rebound shy of landing a triple-double, which is roughly what he is averaging each game. Michael Porter Jr. was next in line offensively with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Shooting was on par for the Nuggets, as they made 43.5 percent of their shots and 30.3 percent from deep. They held the Spurs to 39.4 percent shooting and 27.1 percent from three. They also had seven turnovers and forced the Spurs to have 14.

The Nuggets are third in the league in scoring with 120.8 points a game. They rank 24th in allowing opponents to score 117.2 points a game. This spread is tight, but doable if their offense can sustain a high level.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie showcases the best Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets betting odds, favoring the Celtics by 4.5-points. Current market predictions estimate the Celtics having a 59.8 percent chance of winning outright.

The Celtics are 13-4 on the road and the Nuggets are 10-6 at home. Jokic has had two consecutive games of 40-plus points, so this is likely not going to continue. Look for the Celtics to cover the spread.

Final Pick: Boston Celtics -4.5 (-110)