Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Preview

Boston Celtics (20-5 SU, 11-12 ATS) vs. Golden State Warriors (12-14 SU, 10-15 ATS)

When: Tuesday, December 19th, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Chase Center, CA, San Francisco

TV: TNT

Point Spread: Bos -5.5/GS +5.5

Total: 233

Money Line: Boston Celtics -225/+183

Notable Injuries

Celtics

• Kristaps Porzingis (Questionable) Calf
• Luke Kornet (Out) Adductor

Warriors

• Draymond Green (Out) Suspension
• Chris Paul (Questionable) Illness
• Gary Payton II (Out) Calf

Recent Form

With today’s game vs. the Warriors coming up, the Celtics are hoping to add to their above .500 record of 20-5. Currently, the team is in 1st place in both the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division.

In their last ten games, the Warriors are 5-5 and are 12-14 overall. When playing on the road, the Warriors are 6-8 compared to 6-6 at home.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Golden State has an ATS record of 5-0 in the previous 5 matchups vs Boston. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +10 points per game in favor of the Warriors. Over the course of these games, they averaged 212 points per game, leading a 0-5 over-under record.

Analysis

In their previous game, the Celtics’ offense finished with 114 points, which is right in line with their current average of 117.6 points per contest. The top scorer for the Celtics was Jaylen Brown with 31 points, while Jayson Tatum also chipped in with 23 points.

Coming into today’s game, the Celtics’ defense is giving up an average of 108.5 points per contest.

When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Celtics squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 50.1% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 36.5% from downtown.

In their most recent game, the Warriors’ offense tallied 118 points, consistent with their ongoing season average of 115.9 points per game. In terms of offense, the Warriors have a season-long field goal percentage of 45%, putting them 25th in the NBA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 15th in percentage and 4th in three-pointers made.

So far, the Warriors’ defense is ranked 20 in the league at 115.7 points per contest.

When it comes to forced turnovers, the Warriors are forcing 15.1 per game, which is 27th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 28th in blocked shots at 3.4 per game.

Betting Trends

• Through their last ten road contests, the Celtics offense has averaged 111 points per game while allowing an average of 110. Boston posted an overall record of 5-5 while going 2-7-1 ATS.
• Through their last three home contests, the Warriors’ offense has averaged 115 points per game while allowing an average of 118. Golden State posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 0-3 ATS.
• Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Warriors have a straight-up record of 0-5. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-2.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Celtics have a straight-up record of 8-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-4-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Despite playing at home, the Warriors come into this one as 5.5-point underdogs against a Celtics squad that has lost just five times this season. Even if Kristaps Porzingis is unable to play with his calf injury, there is no way that Golden State can slow down Tatum and Brown enough to pull this one out. I like Boston at -5.5.