NBA Picks: Celtics vs. Clippers Predictions 12/23/23

Boston Celtics (21-6 SU, 12-13 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (17-11 SU, 14-14 ATS)

When: Saturday, December 23rd, 3:30 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Bos -1/LAC +1

Total: 231.5

Money Line: Boston Celtics -117/-103

Notable Injuries

Celtics

• Kristaps Porzingis (Out) Ankle
• Jayson Tatum (Questionable) Ankle
• Luke Kornet (Out) Adductor
• Svi Mykhailiuk (Questionable) Heel

Clippers

• Mason Plumlee (Out) Knee
• Kawhi Leonard (Questionable) Hip
• Moussa Diabate (Out) Hip

Recent Form

Coming into today’s game, the Celtics are 21-6 overall and have gone 8-2 in their last ten games. In the Eastern Conference, they are in 1st place and are also 1st in the Atlantic Division.

As the Clippers take on the Celtics, they are looking to build on their above .500 record of 17-11. On the road, the Clippers are 6-8 compared to their 11-3 record at home this season.

The Historicals

Over the last 5 head to head meetings, the Clippers have averaged 108 points per game compared to 103 for Boston. This has led to an ATS record of 4-1 for Los Angeles. In these contests, they averaged a combined 211 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

Boston’s offense had a good outing, putting up 144 points against the Kings. They achieved a 55.4% field goal percentage and went 20/24 from the free-throw line. The team’s top scorer is Jayson Tatum, who comes into today’s matchup with an average of 26.8, while Jaylen Brown also maintains a PPG average of 22.7 leading up to the game.

The Celtics’ defense is presently ranked 3 in the league, allowing an average of 109.8 points per contest.

Boston’s defense is currently forcing 12.7 turnovers per game, which is 11th in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 4th in blocked shots, with an average of 6.3 rejections per game.

The Clippers’ offense finished with 115 points in their previous game, mirroring their current average of 117 points per contest. The top scorer for the Clippers was James Harden with 23 points, while Paul George also added 22 to the scoreboard.

Coming into today’s game, the Clippers defense is giving up an average of 111.5 points per contest.

On two-point field goal attempts, the Clippers’ defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 52.8% and allowing 35.1% from beyond the arc.

Betting Trends

• Across the Celtics’ last ten road games, the team averaged 113 points per game while allowing 113. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-8 while going 4-6 straight-up.
• In their last five home games, Los Angeles has averaged 123 points per game while allowing 119. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
• Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Clippers have gone 1-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 0-3.
• As the betting favorite, the Celtics have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight-up record was 2-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Clippers just had their 6-game winning streak snapped in a matchup vs. Oklahoma City and have the tall task of facing the Celtics. Before game time, be sure to check the injury report, as there are several key players on each side who are questionable. But right now, I’m feeling good about taking the Celtics on the moneyline. After falling to the Warriors to start their road trip, the Celtics bounced back with a dismantling of the Kings. I like Boston straight-up.