Thunder Against the Spread | OKC a Rare Underdog Against Celtics in Boston

Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT

Location: TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)

Spread: Celtics (-2.5)

Total: 228.5

Trends Against The Spread

ThunderatCeltics
41-25 (62%)All30-35 (46%)
18-14 (56)%) on the roadLocation15-19 (44%) at home
1-1 (50%) as underdogStatus29-33 (46%) as favorite
1-1 (50%) as road underdogLocation Status15-19 (44%) as home favorite
1-0 (100%)Head To Head0-1 (0%0
  • Oklahoma City is 36-29-1 (55%) against the over on the season.
  • Boston is 29-36 (44%) against the over on the season.
  • The Thunder is 16-15-1 (51%) against the over on the road.
  • The Celtics are 18-16 (52%) against the over at home.

Team Stats

TEAMPTSPAFG%3P%REBASTTOVSTLBLKSTRKL10
OKC119.7107.147.836.744.726.811.810.75.8L18-2
BOS116.9108.246.237.145.025.811.97.35.6W58-2

Injury Report

Thunder

  • Branden Carlson (G League — two-way) is OUT.
  • Alex Caruso (illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
  • Alex Ducas (G League — two-way) is OUT.
  • Isaiah Hartenstein (nasal fracture) is AVAILABLE.
  • Dillon Jones is (G League — on assignment) is OUT.
  • Ajay Mitchell (sprained right great toe) is OUT.
  • Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.
  • Jalen Williams (strained right hip) is OUT.

Celtics

  • Jaylen Brown (posterior impingement in right knee) is PROBABLE.
  • JD Davis (G League — two-way) is out.
  • Miles Norris (G League — two-way) is out.
  • Drew Peterson (G League — two-way) is out.
  • Kristaps Porzingis (non-covid illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
  • Jayson Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) is QUESTIONABLE.

Series History

So far this season, the Thunder is 1-0 against the Celtics (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).

Why the Thunder Will Cover (+2.5)

This is a tough game to pick because there are several variables up in the air. We know for sure that Jalen Williams is out for OKC, but Boston could be with or without any combination of 3 of their starters (Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jayson Tatum). Regardless of who plays, though, the Thunder is so far ahead in the West that it would seem they might let off the gas. At the same time, they need to head into the postseason with some momentum. With JDub out due to a strained hip, I can see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going for another 50-piece, so I’m taking OKC to cover and get a win in Boston for the first time in almost 4 years.

Why the Game Will NOT Hit the Over (228.5)

When two of the top defenses in the NBA go head-to-head, especially late in the season, it’s hard to want to pick the over on the point total. Jalen Williams is an integral piece to OKC’s defense, but they play team defense regardless of who is on the court, and it really just depends what kind of mood Boston is in. I’m expecting a tighter game with a lower score, so I’m taking the under on the total.

Staff Picks

On the Season

NameMoneylineSpreadOver/Under
Matt47-1739-24-127-36-1
Zack53-1346-2032-34
Craig51-1346-16-232-31-1

One Reply to “Thunder Against the Spread | OKC a Rare Underdog Against Celtics in Boston”

Leave a Reply