The NBA’s top scoring team will be at home in ORACLE Arena, when the Golden State Warriors (44-19) take on the Boston Celtics (38-26). The game begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last contest. The Warriors (5-point favorites) beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-117, while the Celtics (2.5-point favorites) fell to the Houston Rockets, 115-104. The Golden State game finished 1.5 points under the projected point total of 238.5, while the Boston game finished 7 points under the projected point total of 226.
Golden State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.9 (worse than their season average of 11.9) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.593 (above their season average of 0.561). For those same stats, Philadelphia was 17.4 and 0.529, respectively. Boston, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (22-29; 75.9 percent). Golden State rallied around Kevin Durant, who finished with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving had a good game for Boston, contributing 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
In their first matchup this year, Durant led the Warriors to a 115-111 win. He scored a game-high 33 points. Golden State covered as a 3-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 226 points, which was under the projected point total of 232. Golden State made good use of their 34 trips to the free throw line, making 29 of them (85.3 percent). Boston, on the other hand, was 14-15 (93.3 percent).
Of the Celtics’ 64 games, 35 have finished over the projected point total. Boston holds records of 38-26 straight up (SU) and 31-32-1 against the spread (ATS).
A little over half of Warriors games have also finished over the projected point total. Golden State is 44-19 SU, but they are just 25-37-1 ATS.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Golden State (first in the league with an offensive efficiency of 115.0) takes on the top-notch defense of Boston (fifth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 104.5). Moreover, the Celtics rank fourth in turnover percentage (12.5 percent), while the Warriors rank 22nd in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.5 percent).
Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.1) while the Warriors rank 12th (48.0).
- Boston ranks sixth in three pointers attempted per game (35.0) while Golden State ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (33.6).
- The Warriors rank eighth in rebounds per game (46.2) while the Celtics rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (45.7).
- Boston ranks fourth in steals per game (8.8) while Golden State ranks 14th (7.6).
- Golden State ranks first in blocks per game (6.5) while Boston ranks eighth (5.6).
- The Celtics average 16.1 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Warriors rank 24th in fast break points allowed per game (15.0).
- The Celtics rank third in assists allowed per game (22.8) while the Warriors rank 12th (24.3).
- Boston ranks third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while Golden State ranks 18th (17.0).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Golden State is 6-0 and Boston is 14-4.
- When reaching the century mark, the Warriors are 44-13 and the Celtics are 38-19.
- Boston is 11-18-1 ATS on the road, while Golden State is 11-19-1 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 15 of the Celtics’ 30 road games, while 17 of the Warriors’ 31 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Boston and Golden State are both 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 7.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Boston has defeated opponents by an average of 5.2 points.
- During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 114.8 points per game (3.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 114.8 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
