Clippers Favored At Home Against NBA-Best Celtics

The Boston Celtics own the NBA’s best record, but they’re on the road against a Clippers squad that is 8-1 at home this season. With both teams missing some key players due to injury, the Celtics opened as 5-point underdogs — and bettors should take advantage.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Clippers opened as 5-point favorites, but that is again likely assuming that Kawhi Leonard, who surprisingly did not play Monday, actually does suit up. If he cannot go for the fourth straight game, expect the line to shrink closer to EVEN — or Boston to even perhaps be a favorite.

Boston News & Notes

Boston’s 10-game winning streak came to an end Sunday with a one-point loss to Sacramento, but the Celtics bounced right back the next night with a 99-85 win at Phoenix.

Boston put on a defensive clinic against the Suns’ sixth-ranked offense, holding them to just over 40 percent shooting and allowing its fewest points against this season.

The Celtics did suffer another injury in the game, however, as guard Marcus Smart sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of Monday’s win. He did not return to the game, but said that if it had been a close contest he could have come back in.

Smart was re-evaluated Tuesday and said he is confident he’ll play against the Clippers. His presence would be much-needed as Boston is already without Gordon Hayward.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Paul George wasn’t able to top 30 points for the third straight time, but he still was the difference-maker in Los Angeles’ 90-88 win over Oklahoma City on Monday.

He finished with just 18 points but hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 25 seconds left to secure the victory for the Clippers. George has been the Clippers’ go-to player since returning from injury, which has coincided with Kawhi Leonard’s three-game absence with knee soreness.

While the Clippers got guard Patrick Beverley back, Leonard is questionable for tonight’s game while Landry Shamet continues to sit out. That means George will be looked upon to carry the scoring load again, along with Montrezl Harrell, who had a team-high 28 points against the Thunder in Leonard’s absence, as the Clippers look to improve to 9-1 SU at home this season.

Betting Pick: Celtics +5

The Clippers have been outright dominant at home, winning eight of nine this year, but spotting five points to a team with the NBA’s best record seems a bit much. I’ll take Boston.