The Boston Celtics are at the tail end of their five-game road swing as they make at stop at the Moda Center to tip off against the Portland Trail Blazers, who are looking to extend their winning streak to four games. Boston claimed both games against Portland last season but is a 2.5-point underdog in tonight’s game with the total Sportsbook at 215 points.
- Portland is 6-1 SU and ATS in its last seven games.
- Boston is 1-5 ATS in its last six games.
- The total has gone OVER in five of Boston’s last six games.
Celtics vs Trail Blazers Game Center
Boston looks to end road trip on a high note
This extended road swing for the Celtics hasn’t gone as planned from the beginning. They fell to Indiana in a narrow 102-101 defeat, snapping their four-game winning streak and they have only managed one victory during this trip, needing overtime to slide past Phoenix 116-109. The defense has been the key to success for Boston this season, allowing just 103.8 points per game which is the fourth-fewest in the league, however, during this recent stretch it is surrendering an average of 112.25 points per game.
The offense has stirred over the last couple weeks, though, as on the season the Celtics are averaging just 106.1 points per game which is the seventh-fewest in the league but since October 28, they are averaging 110.7 ppg which is the 14th-most in the NBA. Over this span, their shooting percentage has jumped two points from the floor and three percent from the free-throw line. Boston does a good job at limiting shots from the perimeter as opponents are hitting just 30.5 percent from beyond the arc which is the lowest percentage in the association, averaging just 9.9 made three-pointers per game.
Red hot Trail Blazers look to continue their strong play
Portland finds itself on its second three-game winning streak over the past two weeks, posting a 6-1 record and is searching for its first four-game winning streak of the season. The Blazers have been getting it done on both sides of the ball as over this recent stretch they are winning games by an average margin of 16.33. Portland has been accepting the free points given from its opponents as it is shooting an astonishing 86.1 percent from the free-throw line, 3.5 percent higher than second-place San Antonio, but Boston takes the 10th-fewest fouls per game.
Defensively, the Blazers have been allowing a lot of shots but have been defending them well. Opponents are taking 93.8 shots per game vs Portland which is the fourth-most in the NBA, but they are hitting just 42.9 percent of those attempts which is the second-fewest in the association. This isn’t a good outlook for the Celtics as they have the second-lowest shooting percentage in the league, hitting just 42.9 percent of their shots from the floor. Overall, Portland allows just 107.2 points per game which is sixth-fewest in the league and only two spots behind Boston.
OVER trending in tonight’s game
With Boston’s offense appearing to finally have some life, sportsbooks may be a little behind on setting the right totals and now’s a time to take advantage, Sportsbook has tonight’s total Sportsbook at 215 points. This is the third-highest total for the Celtics this season and they split the other two previous highs one going OVER the other going UNDER, but they have gone OVER in five of the last six games with an average combined score of 221.83. Meanwhile, this is the third-lowest total for the Blazers this year and they have gone OVER 215 points in nine of their 12 games this season.
My take on Boston vs Portland
I like Portland to cover the 2.5-point spread in tonight’s contest. Boston is at the tail end of a grueling five-game road swing through the Western Conference, while Portland is wrapping up a comfortable six-game homestand. The Celtics are 4-4 SU and 2-6 ATS on the road this year and are 0-3 SU as a dog. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are 6-2 SU and ATS at home, 6-2 SU as a favorite and are 9-3 ATS on the season. Two teams trending in opposite directions and I anticipate this to continue tonight.
