The Oklahoma City Thunder (52-23) square off against the Boston Celtics (59-16) Wednesday with tip-off from TD Garden set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Thunder vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Thunder lead 1-0
The Thunder dropped the 1st game of their road trip 109-105 Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadriceps) didn’t play, and F Jalen Williams left after 34 seconds with an ankle injury that will keep him on the sidelines with SGA Wednesday. F Chet Holmgren had 22 points and 7 boards while shooting 3 for 6 from downtown. The Thunder are tied for 2nd in the West with the Minnesota Timberwolves and sit a half-game out of 1st.
The Celtics have things wrapped up in the East and will be a dangerous betting commodity down the stretch with little to play for and rest likely. They’re coming off a 4-2 road trip and took down the Charlotte Hornets 118-104 Monday. F Jayson Tatum had 25 points and 10 boards while G Jaylen Brown sat out.
Per usual, you can’t entertain the Celtics ML here, and it’s tough to envision the Thunder without 2 starters overcoming the mountain that is this Boston squad.
So let’s nail a prop. C Kristaps Porzingis had 34 points and 12 boards in the Jan. 2 loss to OKC. He’s averaging 19 PPG over the last 5 games, and if Brown is out again, he’ll be relied upon more. Take KRISTAPS PORZINGIS OVER 29.5 POINTS+REBOUNDS+ASSISTS (-105).
