The Boston Celtics (26-10) travel to face off against the Denver Nuggets (20-14) on Tuesday, January 7th. This game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver and televised on TNT. The Nuggets are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Celtics are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Celtics. Tip-off is set for 10:00 ET.

Celtics vs Nuggets

The Celtics Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Celtics dropped to 26-10 on the season after a 105-92 road loss to the Thunder on Sunday. Boston, favored by 1 point, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 197 points was well below the O/U line of 225.

Boston appeared in control after leading 65-55 at halftime, but they struggled in the 2nd half. The Celtics were outscored 21-15 in the 3rd quarter and then managed just 12 points in the 4th while allowing 29 points to the Thunder.

The Nuggets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Denver improved to 20-14 on the season with a 122-111 road win over the Spurs on Saturday. The Nuggets, who were favored by 3 points, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total of 233 points fell just short of the 236-point over/under line.

Denver pulled off the win with a dominant 4th quarter, outscoring San Antonio 27-16 after trailing 92-81 going into the final period. The Nuggets started strong, leading 30-27 after the 1st quarter, but the Spurs took control in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring Denver 65-51 before the Nuggets’ comeback.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

In Sunday’s loss to the Thunder, the Celtics managed just 92 points, shooting 36.5% from the field and hitting only 9 threes at a 19.6% clip. Jayson Tatum led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 21 points, scoring 10 in the 1st quarter and 11 in the 2nd.

Kristaps Porzingis contributed 19 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field. Tatum also had 9 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, finishing with 2 made threes at 33.3%.

Nuggets Offense Breakdown

Nikola Jokic’s 46 points and 10 assists powered the Nuggets to a win over the Spurs, as he shot 54.3% from the field and hit 3 threes at 37.5%. Michael Porter Jr. added 28 points and 10 rebounds, connecting on 4 threes at 44.4% shooting.

Denver struggled from beyond the arc, making just 10 threes at 30.3% and shooting 43.5% overall. Jokic scored 9 points in overtime, while Porter added 3 more in the extra period.

Celtics Team Defense

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the Celtics couldn’t hold off the Thunder, giving up 105 points in Sunday’s loss. Boston allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter and 29 in the 4th, but they tightened up in the middle, holding Oklahoma City to 23 points in the 2nd and 21 in the 3rd.

The Celtics held the Thunder to 44% shooting overall but struggled to defend the three, where Oklahoma City hit 16 threes at a 42% clip. Boston sent the Thunder to the line just 13 times, where they made 11 free throws. The Celtics also recorded 36 defensive rebounds, allowed 9 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 5 blocks.

Nuggets Team Defense

Defensively, the Celtics tightened up after a rough 1st quarter, where they allowed 32 points, giving up just 23 in the 2nd and 21 in the 3rd. However, they couldn’t keep the Thunder in check in the 4th, allowing 29 points, leading to a 105-92 loss.

Boston held Oklahoma City to 44% shooting, but the Thunder hit 16 threes at a 42% clip. The Celtics sent the Thunder to the line 13 times, where they made 11 free throws. Boston gave up 9 offensive rebounds while recording 6 steals and 5 blocks.

Celtics vs Nuggets Trends

• In their last three games away from home, the Celtics have a straight up record of 2-1 while going 1-1-1 vs the spread. The team averaged 106 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last five games at home, the Nuggets have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 122 points per game in these contests.
• Denver has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 5-5. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-5-1.

Celtics vs Nuggets Prediction

We’re putting our money on the Celtics to win, and have the projected score sitting at 141-112. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Celtics at -5.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 235.5 and given that our model is projecting 253 points between the teams, we like the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.