Clippers vs. Celtics Prediction and Odds: Fade Boston With Jayson Tatum Out
By Peter Dewey
If there is a team that needs a bounce-back game on Wednesday night in the NBA, it is the Boston Celtics.
Boston lost on Monday to the Minnesota Timberwolves without Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards or D’Angelo Russell in the lineup. Granted, Boston didn’t have Jayson Tatum, but the Wolves were running out several players on hardship deals, including Greg Monroe (!), and still came away with the upset win.
Now, Boston will host the Los Angeles Clippers, who are down Paul George, on Wednesday with a chance to get back in the win column.
Here are the odds via WynnBET:
Clippers vs. Celtics Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Clippers +5.5 (-110)
- Celtics -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Clippers +190
- Celtics -230
Total:
- 209.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Clippers vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick
Celtics head coach Ime Udoka laid into his team after Monday’s loss, but the struggles may be here to stay for Boston with Tatum out.
“Undisciplined defensively. A lot of ways off-ball switching was an issue, we got carved up there. Something we’ve been doing decent to well all year,” Udoka explained after the loss to the Wolves. “And lack of communication there so defensively that hurt… the off-ball defense was glaring, that stood out.”
The Celtics are just 7-13 all-time with Tatum out of the lineup and they are just 2-7 over the past two seasons with him out.
The Clippers have covered in one of their past two games without George, and I think 5.5 points may be a bit too many on Wednesday.
The Clippers may lack firepower offense with George out, but they are also No. 4 in the NBA in defensive rating and No. 6 in opponent effective field goal percentage. The Celtics aren’t an offensive juggernaut even with Tatum in the lineup this season, ranking 21st in offensive rating and 24th in effective field goal percentage.
A low-scoring affair will favor Los Angeles, and I’ll back the Clips with the points tonight.
Pick: Clippers +5.5 (-110)