The Los Angeles Clippers (30-26) will travel to TD Garden to square off with the Boston Celtics (35-20). The Clippers opened as 12-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 225.5 points and it begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds
Both teams lost in their last matchup. The Clippers (6.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Indiana Pacers, 116-92, while the Celtics (9.5-point favorites) fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 129-128. The Los Angeles game finished 13 points under the projected point total of 221, while the Boston game went 28.5 points over the projected point total of 228.5.
Los Angeles had a better free throw rate (0.141 vs. 0.103) while Boston did a fantastic job of making free throws (20-20; 100.0 percent). Jayson Tatum had a good game for Boston, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Montrezl Harrell played a key role for Los Angeles with 19 points.
This was a highly competitive series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Clippers won the most recent contest 129-119. Los Angeles made good use of their 33 trips to the charity stripe, making 30 of them (90.9 percent). Boston, on the other hand, was 20-21 (95.2 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Just over half of the Clippers’ games have finished over the total. Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 30-26 straight up (SU) and 30-26 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Celtics’ 55 games, 32 have finished over the O/U total. Additionally, Boston is 35-20 SU and 27-27-1 ATS.
Boston should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Boston ranks fourth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.7 percent), while Los Angeles forces the first-fewest turnovers (11.8 percent).
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Boston Celtics Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 14th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5) while the Clippers rank 26th (14.3).
- Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (35.5) while Los Angeles ranks 29th (24.7).
- The Celtics rank fourth in steals per game (8.9) while the Clippers rank 27th (6.4).
- Boston ranks seventh in fast break points allowed per game (12.2) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (15.0).
- Los Angeles ranks eighth in points in the paint per game (50.7) while Boston ranks 25th (44.2).
- The Celtics rank second in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while the Clippers rank 27th (6.1).
- The Celtics rank fifth in assists per game (26.5) while the Clippers rank 23rd (23.0).
- Boston averages 45.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 16th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 24th in rebounds allowed per game (45.9).
- Boston ranks fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.0) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (14.7).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Boston is 13-2 and Los Angeles is 6-1.
- The Clippers are 30-18 when they score over 100 points, while the Celtics are 35-16.
- Boston is 18-11 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 16-13 ATS on the road.
- The Clippers have 17 unders and 12 overs in 29 road games.
- The Celtics have 18 overs and 11 unders in 29 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Clippers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Los Angeles has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 6.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.2 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
