Thunder vs Celtics NBA Prediction, Odds & Best Bets (4/3): Boston’s Home Streak Continues

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Thunder vs Celtics NBA Betting Trends

• Oklahoma City is 4-9 straight up in its last 13 games vs. Boston.
• Boston is 10-0 straight up in its last 10 home games.
• Oklahoma City is 2-6 ATS in its last eight road games.
• Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last five games vs. the Western Conference.
• The total hit the Over in four of Oklahoma City’s last five games.
• The total hit the Over in each of Boston’s last six games vs. Oklahoma City.

Thunder vs Celtics Prediction & NBA Picks Today (4/3): Boston Out for Revenge

As the fans fill the seats at TD Garden tonight, the Celtics hope to split their season series with the Thunder. The teams collided at Paycom Center back in January as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a game-high 36 points to lead Oklahoma City to a close-fought 127-123 victory.

Speaking of Gilgeous-Alexander, it remains to be seen if he’ll even play tonight. He was out of Tuesday’s loss with a quad injury, marking his third absence in the last four games. The two-time NBA All-Star — who leads his team in points and assists — is an integral part of Oklahoma City’s success, proven by its 8-13 SU record in the last 21 games he’s missed.

Additionally, Jalen Williams (ankle) will also likely be a game-time decision.

With the Thunder potentially being without their best player, it could be tough to keep pace with a stacked Celtics team. Boston is one of the most talent-rich teams in the NBA and boasts a near-healthy lineup tonight with Jaylen Brown (hand/questionable) and Jaden Springer (knee/questionable) being the only injury designations.

The Thunder will likely be facing an uphill battle if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) doesn’t suit up. 

Another thing going against the Thunder is that they’re playing tonight’s game at TD Garden, where the Celtics are an astounding 32-3 SU this season. In fact, Boston has won 10 straight home games, averaging 128.8 points on .519/.428/.880 splits while outscoring those opponents by 24.3 points per game.

The Thunder have been decent away from home this season, highlighted by a 6-2 SU record in their last eight road games. At the same time, they only covered the spread twice during that stretch. And while traveling from Philly to Boston isn’t the farthest difference, it’s worth noting that Oklahoma City is only 7-5 SU (58.3%) in the second half of back-to-backs this season whereas Boston is 32-12 (72.7%) when playing with exactly one day of rest.

Although the Thunder are 6-0 ATS in their last six meetings with the C’s, it’s the Celtics who’ve won nine of the last 13 clashes between these teams.

Oklahoma City also hasn’t won in Boston in nearly three years, most recently falling 126-122 at TD Garden on Nov. 14, 2022.

The Celtics are 9-4 SU in their last 13 meetings with the Thunder. Will that trend continue tonight?

Assuming that the Thunder are without Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s a no-brainer to back the Celtics. Joe Mazzulla’s team is the NBA Championship favorite for a reason and their recent dominance at home has more than solidified that. Throw in the fact that Boston is hungry to get revenge for January’s loss to OKC and it’s easy to see how the motivated Celtics will win tonight.

I’m also going with the Celtics as the 9-point spread favorites. Again, this is a team that has defeated its last 10 home opponents by nearly 25 PPG. Boston is also 14-6 ATS in its last 20 outings, whereas Oklahoma City is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games on top of covering the spread just twice in its last eight road tilts.

Don’t be surprised if the C’s win this game by double digits.

Thunder vs Celtics NBA Prediction: BOS wins

Best Thunder vs Celtics NBA Bet: BOS -9 (-110)

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Best Thunder vs Celtics NBA Prop Bet (4/3)

After Joel Embiid had his way with the Thunder last night, I’m taking the Over on Kristaps Porzingis’ 19.5-point total as the best prop bet tonight.

Porzingis has been playing some of his best basketball of the season over the last two months. The Latvian center is averaging 21.9 points on .496/.390/.902 shooting splits over his last 18 games, finishing with 20-plus points 12 times. The Over is also 6-2 across his last eight outings at TD Garden, averaging 23.8 PPG along the way.

After dropping 34 points against the Thunder three months ago, it’s clear that Porzingis has what it takes to make good on this prop.

Best Thunder vs Celtics Prop Bet: Kristaps Porzingis o19.5 Total Points (-120)

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