Free NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Nuggets NBA Odds
Looking for Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Celtics taking on the Nuggets on Sunday, January 1st, at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Celtics-Nuggets matchup.
2023 NBA Handicapping
(26-10) Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets (23-12)
Date: Sunday, January 1st
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
NBA Moneyline Odds: Celtics -105| Nuggets -105 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Nuggets -1
NBA Betting Total: 235.5
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Sunday, January 1st, finds the Boston Celtics playing the Denver Nuggets for the second and final time this season. The team’s initial meeting took place 11 games into the season when both clubs sported an 8-3 record in Boston and the Celtics came out on top 131-112.
Boston last played Thursday beating the Clippers 116-110 while the Nuggets defeated the Heat 124-119 on Friday.
In history, the Celtics own the advantage of winning 60 of the clubs’ 97 meetings. Last season the teams played twice with the Celtics winning both contests.
*Editor’s Note: Statistics and rankings are current as of this writing, Saturday evening, December 31st. Numbers may vary slightly entering games on Sunday, January 1st.
Boston Celtics
After losing five of six the Celtics are back on track on a four-game win streak and sitting atop the league with the best record in the conference and the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets are also sitting atop their conference tied with the Pelicans for first.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown faced the star duo many have dubbed the best combo in the NBA, but it the Celtics pair who won the game and the production battle.
While Kawhi Leonard (26) and Paul George (24) combined for 50 points the J’s each scored 29 points with Tatum registering a double-double adding 11 rebounds while Brown grabbed seven.
Boston possesses the best point production average with 118.8 points per game. In terms of efficiency, they shoot 47.9% from the field and 37.6% from the perimeter ranking 10th and seventh respectively.
Defensively, opponents average 112.1 points per game (11th) while shooting 46.6% (10th) from the field and 35.1% from deep (9th).
Danilo Gallinari (ACL repair) is out.
Denver Nuggets
It’s inevitable officials will miss calls and superstars/elite teams will garner special whistles. This season there seems to be a much higher frequency of uneven calls. The Heat-Nuggets game was one such instance with the road team (Miami) getting the selective whistle.
Odd given the two-time defending MVP was on his home court, getting mauled, and yet took ONE free throw despite being repeatedly fouled but it was his defender (Bam Adebayo) who took 11 free throws, goaded Jokic into a Tech and even flopped (not something I ever thought I’d type about Bam)
The conspiracy side of my mind says the NBA wants the Pelicans sitting alone atop the West for the Zion marketing opportunities.
However, my real reason for bringing this up is the biased whistle ended up paying dividends for Denver who got angry and locked in defensively.
They’ve had small segments and the fourth quarter/clutch time is becoming a more consistent defensive segment but this was the best they’ve played defensively for a full quarter this season.
It’s what I’ve been clamoring for from this very talented offensive group that I believe could win it all if can climb to the middle defensively.
Denver ranks sixth in scoring averaging 116.4 points per game, and are highly efficient shooting the second-best percentage from the field 50.8%, and the highest perimeter percentage 38.8%.
Denver ranks 17th for opponent scoring allowing 114.4 points limiting foes to 48.6% from the field and 36.5% from deep ranking 26th and 21st.
Jeff Green (left finger sprain/hand fracture) and Collin Gillespie (leg fracture) are out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Celtics are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against Denver.
- Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
- Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing in Denver.
- Nuggets are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games at home.
Free Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction:
It might’ve only been during clutch time but Jamal Murray hinted he’s close to being ‘that guy’ again. MPJ is rounding into form (and trying to play defense). Aaron Gordon is quite possibly the perfect forward for a Jokic team (subsequently Gordon has never looked better).
Boston has the trends on their side and while it’s clear they are on a mission, the Nuggets have ‘that look’ in their eyes. Jokic doesn’t give a hoot about 3-peating as MVP he has his eyes set on different hardware — Larry O’B.
It’s not a must-win for either team and while Bowl games will dominate the day, this has the potential (like their Christmas Day game did) to be another statement game and my gut says the Nuggets are about to put the rest of the league on notice
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets ATS
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