The Boston Celtics (8-3) welcome the Denver Nuggets (8-3) to TD Garden Friday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET.
The Celtics are coming into this game after beating the Detroit Pistons at home 128-112 Wednesday. They have now won 4 straight games with wins over the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies in that span.
Boston is led by F Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 26.9 points per game. The Celtics are the No. 1 team in the league in opponents’ points per game, allowing just 104.5 per game.
The Nuggets are led by 2-time MVP C Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 21.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, all of which lead the Nuggets.
Denver has won 4 straight games with 2 of those coming by double figures. The Nuggets have rebounded well following a 2-2 start to the season.
Nuggets at Celtics odds
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Celtics -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +4.5 (-110) | Celtics -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Nuggets at Celtics key injuries
Nuggets
- None
Celtics
- G Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 118, Nuggets 115
Moneyline
PASS.
The Celtics are the rightful favorites, but at -190, I wouldn’t play it.
Against the spread
BET NUGGETS +4.5 (-110).
Both teams are coming into this game 5-6 ATS. The Nuggets are 1-0 ATS as an underdog and have the necessary players to defend Boston and expose any weakness.
The only real defensive weakness is in its frontcourt, and Jokic will be a dominant factor. They also sit atop the league in effective field goal rate, so the Nuggets should be able to make difficult shots.
The Celtics aren’t great on the offensive boards and rely on their shot-making as well. Given how good Denver has been offensively, I would back them to keep this game close.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 230.5 (-105).
Both teams are elite at shooting the ball, and the Nuggets rank 7th in pace. That combination should allow for ample scoring, and the Celtics top-tier defense shouldn’t be as potent without Brogdon either.
Boston is 7-4 O/U while Denver is 6-5 O/U this season as well.