Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Celtics -4, Nuggets +4; Over/Under: 236 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Celtics -4, Nuggets +4; Over/Under: 236 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Celtics -4.5, Nuggets +4.5; Over/Under: 235.5 points
Season Record
Boston Celtics: 26-10 (1st place, Atlantic Division)
Denver Nuggets: 20-14 (2nd place, Northwest Division)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! ASA, Inc. is on a HOT STREAK in the NBA on a 6-1 NBA RUN for +$4,900 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Boston Celtics: 5-5 last 10
Denver Nuggets: 6-4 last 10
Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Preview and Analysis
The Celtics are entering this game with a 26-10 record overall this season and they are 13-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jayson Tatum led the team in points in that game with 26 while Jaylen Brown was next on the team with 21 points. Jrue Holiday led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 36.5% from the field, 19.6% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 118.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 108.3 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 14-21-1 this season and their O/U record is 16-20.
The Nuggets are entering this game with a 20-14 record overall this season and they are 10-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the San Antonio Spurs. Nikola Jokić led the team in points in that game with 46 while Michael Porter Jr. was next on the team with 28 points. Nikola Jokić led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook each led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 43.5% from the field, 30.3% from 3-point range, and 78.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.2 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 15-18-1 this season and their O/U record is 22-12.
Celtics vs Nuggets Prediction
The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 4 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked really good in their games this season with their 26-10 record overall which has them right near the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have been a really good road team too with their 13-4 road record. They are coming off a loss to the Thunder in their last one, but the Thunder have the best record in the NBA at the moment so that isn't a bad loss at all, and the Celtics will be looking to bounce back in this one. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have looked good in their games this season with their 20-14 record overall, but that record has them right in the middle of the West. They have looked better on their home court this year with their 10-6 home record, but they haven't looked as good as they have in previous years. They are coming off a win in their last one, but they needed OT to beat the Spurs, and they have been struggling against some of the weaker teams they have faced this season. They have been better in their home games, but they still haven't been a dominant home team this season and that will leave the door open for a team like the Celtics to come into Denver and take control of the game. The Celtics were dealing with some injuries the last few weeks, but now they are healthy again and will be motivated to bounce back here after a loss to the Thunder. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.
Celtics Nuggets Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Tuesday, January 7, 2025 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 124 Nuggets 113.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Boston Celtics Denver Nuggets prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NBA predictions and previews.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston Celtics: 8-14 ATS against Northwest division opponents. 13-21 ATS in January games. 15-7 OVER against Northwest division opponents. 9-3 OVER when playing their 4th road game in 7 days. 18-10 OVER after playing 3 consecutive road games.
Denver Nuggets: 27-16 ATS as an underdog. 4-1 ATS as a home underdog. 28-15 ATS in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 230. 24-17 OVER as an underdog. 17-7 1H OVER against Atlantic division opponents. 52-36 1H OVER when the total is greater than or equal to 230.
Key Injuries
Boston Celtics: A. Horford (C) Day To Day - Rest.
Denver Nuggets: S. Jones Day To Day - Adductor. A. Gordon (PF) Day To Day - Calf. V. Čančar (PF) Out - Knee. D. Holmes (PF) Out For Season - Achilles.
Notable Quotes
“It’s just something you have to commit to every possession. As you’re playing the game and going through it and looking to process each possession, we’ve just got to fight for great spacing on every possession. Sometimes different matchups and different coverages will mess it up.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s loss against the OKC Thunder in their game on Sunday.
“I thought Jamal had some really good moments as well. Five steals and six rebounds and he was really active defensively as well. So good team win tonight.” - Michael Malone after his team’s win against the Spurs in their game on Saturday.
Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Derrick White
SF Jaylen Brown
PF Jayson Tatum
C Kristaps Porzingis
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Christian Braun
SF Michael Porter Jr.
PF Peyton Watson
C Nikola Jokic
Statistical Leaders
Boston Celtics
PPG: J. Tatum (28.1)
APG: J. Tatum (5.5)
Reb/G: J. Tatum (9.4)
Denver Nuggets
PPG: N. Jokić (31.5)
APG: N. Jokić (9.7)
Reb/G: N. Jokić (13)
Coaches:
Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (3rd season)
Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (10th season)