The Boston Celtics (36-15) put their six-game winning streak on the line when they clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder (32-20) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
The last time the Celtics played, they topped the Atlanta Hawks, 112-107, but they were unable to cover as 12.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (219) finished under the O/U total of 225. Boston’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Atlanta. The Celtics had a rate of 0.523 (below their season average of 0.532), while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.483. Boston rallied around Jayson Tatum, who was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points on 10-for-19 shooting.
The Thunder were victorious over the Detroit Pistons in their last game, 108-101, but failed to cover as 13-point favorites. The combined points for the game (209) came in under the projected point total of 214. Oklahoma City was effective at getting and making free throws. The Thunder made 25 of their 30 free throws (83.3 percent), while the Pistons were 14-19 (73.7 percent). Chris Paul was Oklahoma City’s leading scorer with 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field.
After the Celtics won both games against the Thunder last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Boston won 134-129. Boston had a better effective field goal percentage (0.665 vs. 0.565). Oklahoma City, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (25-34; 73.5 percent).
Boston heads into the contest with records of 36-15 straight up (SU) and 31-19-1 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Celtics’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City owns records of 32-20 SU and 33-18-1 ATS. Thunder games tend to finish under the total (55.8 percent).
Oklahoma City might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they square off against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Boston ranks third in defensive efficiency while the Thunder rank 13th in offensive efficiency.
Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Boston is 15-8-1 ATS on the road with 15 unders and 9 overs.
Oklahoma City is 13-13-1 ATS at home with 14 unders and 13 overs.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Oklahoma City is 7-3 and Boston is 12-2.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Thunder are 31-12 and the Celtics are 35-9.
Boston ranks sixth in fast break points per game (15.1) while Oklahoma City ranks last (9.3).
The Thunder rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while the Celtics rank 23rd (5.5).
Boston ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.9) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd (49.4).
The Celtics rank 12th in second chance points per game (13.2) while the Thunder rank 29th (10.9).
Boston ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while Oklahoma City ranks 18th (16.5).
The Celtics rank 15th in three pointers attempted per game (33.7) while the Thunder rank 27th (29.7).
Boston ranks 20th in assists per game (23.4) while Oklahoma City ranks 26th (22.1).
The Thunder rank third in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Celtics rank eighth (7.0).
In its last five outings, Boston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.0, up from 7.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 109.0 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
