Celtics vs. Wizards Prediction
Two rivals meet up tonight at 7PM ET when the Washington Wizards host the Boston Celtics. Can the Wizards slow down the Celtics?
539 Boston Celtics at 540 Washington Wizards
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
7PM ET – Capital One Arena
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NBA Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Celtics are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -4 points against the Wizards. The over/under total for the game is listed at 220 points. The public betting currently has 83 percent going on Boston on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Celtics rolling along
Boston is on a six-game winning streak coming into tonight, including a 113-100 win over the Pelicans on Monday. They have also covered the spread in all six games. Boston is 16-10 on the season, 8-7 on the road, 13-13 against the spread and 14-12 with the over.
The Celtics are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA right now, allowing just 102.8 points per game while holding opponents to a league-low 43.6 percent shooting from the field and 31.9 percent shooting from the arc. Injuries are starting to pile up as centers Aron Baynes and Al Horford are both questionable to play today while Gordon Hayward is doubtful with an illness. Kyrie Irving is leading the team this year with 21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Jayson Tatum is adding 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.
Wizards return home
Washington has played four straight on the road and six of its last seven away from home. They were 2-4 in those six games, going 2-4 against the spread as well. The Wizards are 11-16 on the season, 7-5 at home, 11-16 against the spread and 16-11 with the over.
The Wizards are struggling on defense this season, allowing 116.4 points per game while opponents shoot 47 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from the arc. Offensively, Washington averages 111.6 points per game while shooting only 32.5 percent from 3-point land. Dwight Howard has been out with a back injury while Otto Porter Jr. is questionable to play tonight due to a knee injury. Bradley Beal is leading the team with 22.9 points and 4.3 assists per game while John Wall is adding 20.4 points and 8.3 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics have covered the spread in 20 of their last 27 against a team with a losing record, but just 3-11 ATS in their last 14 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Washington
The Wizards have covered the spread in four straight home games and in five of their last six at home against a team with a winning road record.
Prediction:
A long layoff from home should give the Wizards a spark tonight. They have picked up wins over the likes of Brooklyn, Houston, New Orleans and the Clippers in their last four at home. With Boston dealing with some injuries and not at full strength, the Celtics seem ripe for the picking. It’s hard to sustain a long win streak in the NBA, so Boston is due for a letdown performance. I think it comes on the road against a big rival.
NBA Prediction: Washington Wizards +4