Celtics vs. Nuggets Expert NBA Betting Analysis and Free Pick (Archive)
The Denver Nuggets are currently 42-29 on the season and have been able to dominate the league without two key players in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have really turned their season around and are 42-28 with a chance at a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Boston Celtics are the best defensive team in the nation this year. Will the Celtics find ways to stop Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, on the road, for a Sunday night contest? Keep reading as we’ll break down the NBA odds and give you a free winning pick!
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets
Sunday, March 20, 2022 – 08:00 PM EDT at Ball Arena
The Celtics have won four of their last five games and continue to win their games by double-digits. The Celtics still haven’t been a great offense this year, however. In the grand scheme of things, Boston is scoring just 112.3 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 53%.
Turnovers should be limited against the Nuggets but offensive rebounds will also be limited for the Celtics with the Nuggets holding teams to just 23.7% of offensive rebounds on the season.
However, Boston has become the best defense in the NBA, holding teams to 106.4 points per 100 possessions and holding teams to a 50.1% effective field goal percentage
The Celtics have also limited free throw rates for their opponents but haven’t been all that effective on the defensive glass, limiting teams to 26.2% offensive rebounds, which is a below-average number. Still, the Celtics are earning 14.4% turnovers and could threaten that department with Denver losing the ball 14.8% of the time.
Right now, the Nuggets are scoring 113.5 points per 100 possessions and also shooting one of the higher effective field goal percentages in the NBA with a 55.4% rate. If Boston can limit Denver from the field and keep Denver away from quality looks, the Celtics should be able to get plenty of stops on the defensive end.
Again though, despite the Celtics being so great defensively, the offense hasn’t been up to par throughout the season. Right now the Celtics are playing very well but throughout the season, the offense has been a bit inconsistent. On the road, against a powerful Nuggets team, fewer points will likely be scored.
Prediction
Therefore, I’m going to take the 'under' in this NBA matchup. On the road, the Celtics usually respond well and have a winning record against teams above .500. Boston is improving and has played much better in the second half of the season.
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But that much better play has been delivered due to the Celtics and their defense. Boston’s become more committed on that end and made some moves before the trade deadline to give the Celtics more depth with guys like Derrick White. He’s been terrific defensively but the offense hasn’t been nearly as good.
Look for that to continue for this entire Celtics team. For my NBA pick, I’m going to grab the 'under' in this one.
NBA Pick: Under 222 (-115) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.