The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are both facing issues as they enter their Tuesday night matchup at TD Garden. The visiting Nuggets (15-11 SU, 12-14 ATS) have won three straight games but remain entrenched in seventh in the competitive Western Conference, while the Celtics (13-13 SU, 13-13 ATS) look to shake what has been a mediocre start to the season.
- Date/Time: February 16, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: TD Garden
- TV Coverage: ALT, NBCSB
- Sportsbook Odds: Celtics -3 | O/U 219 (Line History)
- Nuggets vs Celtics Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Celtics opened Tuesday’s matchup as 3-point favorites, and that’s where you’ll continue to find them in most spots. The Sportsbook total of 219, on the other hand, has risen by 2 to 2.5 points depending on the sportsbook.
Denver News & Notes
It’s becoming clear that finishing in the top half of the Western Conference playoff race is going to require a sky-high winning percentage – and while the Nuggets are doing their part to keep pace, injuries might start to take their toll. Denver will be without guard Gary Harris and forwards Will Barton and Paul Millsap, while guard Monte Morris is considered questionable.
Those absences mean even more of a scoring burden on the hefty shoulders of seven-foot center Nikola Jokic – and he has been equal to the task so far this season. Jokic averages 26.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists while ranking second in the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating. He’s a worthy daily fantasy pick even at his elevated salary given Denver’s rash of injuries.
Boston News & Notes
It’s hard to believe that the Celtics opened the season 7-3 SU given how they’ve played since. A 104-91 loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday not only dropped Boston to 6-10 SU since its hot start, it also tied for the second-worst offensive showing of the season for the Celtics. What’s worse, Washington has allowed a conference-high 119.1 points per game.
Point guard Kemba Walker was succinct when asked what Boston needs to do moving forward: “We need to play harder.” And getting more out of Walker will go a long way for the Celtics; the veteran point guard averages just 16.3 points, his lowest mark since his rookie season. Granted, he remains on a minutes limit, and is still a good DFS value play at a depressed salary.
Betting Pick: Celtics -3 (-110)
This is the right time to catch the injury-riddled Nuggets – and with the Celtics having gone an impressive 7-3 ATS at home this season, there’s plenty to like about this pick.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- The Nuggets are 4-16 SU in their last 20 games in Boston.
- The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The OVER is 10-3 in Denver’s last 13 road games.
