Nuggets vs Celtics Odds & Picks: Streaking Boston Looks To Win 7th Straight

The Boston Celtics (31-25 SU, 27-28-1 ATS) host the Denver Nuggets (30-24, 24-30) on Friday at TD Garden in their first meeting of the season. The Celtics come into the contest on a six-game win streak while the Nuggets will look to pick up their third straight victory. Which team will keep its streak alive? Find out in our Nuggets vs Celtics prediction.

Nuggets vs Celtics Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Celtics opened as a 3.5-point favorite at home with the total set at 217.5 points. The UNDER is 7-2 in Boston’s last nine games and 5-0 in the last five meetings between the two clubs. The Celtics have enjoyed home-court advantage against the Nuggets, winning nine of the last 11 meetings at TD Garden – a possible sign of things to come when making your Nuggets vs Celtics prediction.

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Nuggets Win Big With Solid Team Effort vs Knicks

The Nuggets ran up the score against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, winning 132-115 to pick up their second straight victory. Julius Randle posted a game-high 28 points and 10 boards for a double-double to lead the Knicks, but Bones Hyland (22 points), Nikola Jokic (21 points, 11 rebounds), Will Barton (20 points) and JaMychal Green (20 points) each scored 20-plus in a terrific team effort from the Nuggets.

Despite a three-game losing streak last week, the Nuggets are 8-3 over their last 11 outings and look poised to make a run up the standings. Though they didn’t make any moves at Thursday’s trade deadline, Jamal Murray will be an addition of sorts as he’s on track to return before the playoffs.

Monte Morris (concussion) is out while Austin Rivers (hip) is probable.

Celtics Defense Stepping Up During Six-Game Win Streak

The Celtics kept their win streak alive with a 126-91 victory over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart led Boston with 22 points apiece while Jevon Carter topped Brooklyn with 21 points in a game in which the Nets were without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the since-traded James Harden.

The key during Boston’s current six-game run has been team defense. The Celtics have surrendered just 93.8 points per game over that stretch – down 10 points from their already impressive mark on the season.

Unlike Denver, Boston was busy at the deadline, acquiring center Daniel Theis from the Houston Rockets and guard Derrick White from the San Antonio Spurs. Theis spent the first four years of his NBA career with the Celtics.

Nuggets vs Celtics Pick & Insights

Nuggets: Keys To Cover

The Nuggets have run up the score in their last two games, averaging 128 points per contest. They’ll be facing much tougher competition on Friday, though, coming up against Boston’s fourth-ranked defense (103.8 points against per game). If Denver is going to snap Boston’s win streak, it’ll need a team effort similar to Tuesday’s game.

Celtics: Keys To Cover

The Celtics are the second-hottest team in the NBA right now, behind only the Toronto Raptors, who have won eight straight. With such a suffocating defense, it’s clear why Boston has had success of late. They likely won’t be able to contain Jokic, who is always good for 20-plus points, but the Celtics should be able to shut down the Nuggets’ secondary scorers.

Odds Shark’s Computer Nuggets vs Celtics Prediction: Celtics -4.5

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