Fresh off becoming the fourth team in NBA history win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two games at home, the Boston Celtics will look to start things off on a better foot when they host the Washington Wizards in the first contest of the second-round tonight. Sportsbooks opened the Wiz as 4.5-point road underdogs with a total of 215.
These teams are no stranger to one another, and they developed quite a rivalry in the regular season. The last matchup between the squads on January 11 featured five technical fouls with extra security being called into the tunnel to make sure both teams stayed in their locker rooms.
Wizards point guard John Wall scored a postseason career-high 42 points in Friday’s closeout win over the Atlanta Hawks and averaged 29.5 points and 10.3 assists in the first-round. Wall didn’t fare as well vs the Celtics in the regular season, however, averaging 17.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in four games with Boston.
On the flip side, Isaiah Thomas’ shot hasn’t quite been there of late. Thomas went a combined 3-of-26 from 3-point range in the final three games of the series with the Hawks. Avery Bradley stepped up in a big way by averaging 23.5 points in Games 5 and 6 against the Bulls.
The Wizards haven’t been a good bet in Beantown, going 0-5 ATS in their last five trips to Boston.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Odds makers at Sportsbook opened the Boston Celtics as -4.5-point favorites in this betting matchup earlier today, while the OVER/UNDER betting line was sitting around 215 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Celtics to win this game 107-104. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Boston Celtics sit at 57-31 (45-42-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Washington Wizards are currently 53-35 (45-42-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the points scored total? Boston is 40-44-4 OU and Washington is 53-33-2 OU. This season the Boston Celtics are 57-31 overall and 45-42-1 ATS against the number, while the Washington Wizards are 53-35 and 45-42-1 ATS. As for the totals, Boston is 40-44-4 on the OU, and Washington is 53-33-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Boston vs Washington injuries news.
The Odds Shark betting Power Rankings have the Boston Celtics at No. 11 and the Washington Wizards at No. 13 heading into this NBA contest.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Washington Wizards rank No. 22 in the league with 42.72 per game. That compares with Boston's No. 27 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Boston is the NBA's No. 3-ranked team at 12.06 per game, while the Washington Wizards rate No. 17 with 9.16 per contest.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
John Wall poured in 42 points for Washington on Friday, as they defeated Atlanta 115-99 at Philips Arena.
The Celtics blew out Chicago on Friday, running up the score in a 105-83 win at United Center.
Next Betting Matchups
Washington at Boston, Tuesday, May 2nd