Free NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Thunder NBA Odds
Looking for Boston Celtics vs. OKC Thunder free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Celtics taking on the Thunder on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2021 at the Paycom Center. 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-Thunder matchup.
2023 NBA Handicapping
(26-11) Boston Celtics vs. OKC Thunder (15-21)
Date: Tuesday, January 3rd
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
NBA Moneyline Odds: Celtics -335 | Thunder +305 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -8.5
NBA Betting Total: 235
- *Click Here* Check out our Live Betting Odds for this game!
- *Click Here* Check out our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
- SCROLL DOWN FOR our Celtics Thunder Free Pick!
Tuesday, January 3rd, finds the Boston Celtics facing the OKC Thunder for the second and final time this season. Boston won the initial meeting 126-122 on November 14th.
The Celtics last played on New Year’s Day losing 111-123 to the Nuggets while the Thunder last played on Saturday getting routed 96-115 to a short-handed 76ers.
The Celtics hold the all-time record between the clubs with 78 wins in 142 meetings. Last season, the teams played twice with Boston winning both contests.
*Editor’s Note: Statistics and rankings are current as of this writing, Monday evening, January 2nd. Numbers may vary slightly entering games on Tuesday, January 3rd.
Boston Celtics
While the Celtics score the most points per game and are cited for their highly efficient offense, it was the team with the second-best offense that got the better of them on New Year’s Day.
Dueling MVP candidates took center stage but the two-time reigning MVP had the decided advantage. Jayson Tatum struggled shooting 6 of 17 (0 for 4 from deep) collecting almost half of his 25 points at the charity stripe (11 of 14) adding seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Nikola Jokic shot 10 of 13 from the field and was perfect both from deep (2-2) and the free throw line (8-8) collecting a triple-double of 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists (plus a steal).
Tatum averages 30.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. with shooting splits of 47.3% from the field (21.4), 35.0% from the perimeter (9.2), and 85.5% from the charity stripe (8.7). *note attempts are in brackets
Boston possesses the best point production average with 118.6 points per game. In terms of efficiency, they shoot 47.9% from the field and 37.3% from the perimeter ranking 10th and eighth respectively.
Defensively, opponents average 112.4 points per game which rank 13th overall. Opponents are limited to 46.8% from the field and 37.3% from the perimeter which ranks 13th and 12th respectively.
Danilo Gallinari (ACL) is out for the season.
OKC Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is producing an All-Star, All-NBA-worthy season averaging 30.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 block per game.
His shooting splits are 49.9% from the field, 35.41% from deep, and 91.3% from the stripe on 20.6, 2.9, and 9.2 attempts from those areas respectively.
The Thunder score 115.2 points per game ranking 10th while shooting 45.9% from the field and 34.6% from deep ranking 23rd and 18th.
Defensively, the Thunder rank 25th for opponent points allowing 116.8 per game while opponents shoot 46.7% from the field and 36.2% from the perimeter ranking 11th and 18th respectively.
Ousmane11 Dieng (wrist) is questionable while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) is out Tuesday. Aleksej Pokusevski (leg fracture) is out for an extended period. Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Celtics are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
- The Thunder are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when hosting the Celtics
- The Celtics are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against OKC
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Boston’s last 12 games on the road.
Free Boston Celtics vs. OKC Thunder NBA Prediction:
In their first meeting this season the teams played to their identities albeit the Celtics perhaps underestimated just how scrappy the young Thunder are. A combination of cold shooting and OKC perimeter defense led to the Celtics shooting 27 from behind the arc.
The Celts had no answer for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who dropped 37 in TD Garden so expect some countermeasures in this match.
After a bad loss to the 76ers (without Harden or Maxey playing) expect a response from the Thunder. It doesn’t mean they’ll win but they’ll definitely bring the energy and effort. OKC is 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 matches at home so take the points.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Thunder +8.5
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Boston Celtics vs. OKC Thunder matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!