by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Where to Watch: NBCS-BOS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Celtics -6, Clippers +6; Over/Under: 220 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Celtics -6, Clippers +6; Over/Under: 220 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Celtics -6, Clippers +6; Over/Under: 220 points
Season Record
Boston Celtics: 30-13 (1st place, Atlantic Division)
Los Angeles Clippers: 24-18 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Boston Celtics: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Clippers: 5-5 last 10
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers Preview and Analysis
The Celtics are entering this game with a 30-13 record overall this season and they are 15-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Golden State Warriors. Jayson Tatum led the team in points in that game with 22 while Kristaps Porziņģis was next on the team with 18 points. Payton Pritchard led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 53.3% from the field, 41.7% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 108.1 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 17-25-1 this season and their O/U record is 18-25.
The Clippers are entering this game with a 24-18 record overall this season and they are 15-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Chicago Bulls. Norman Powell led the team in points in that game with 27 while James Harden was next on the team with 17 points. James Harden led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Mo Bamba led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 39.4% from the field, 21.4% from 3-point range, and 94.1% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 109.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 106.6 PPG against them. The Clippers have an ATS record of 26-16 this season and their O/U record is 15-26-1.
Celtics vs Clippers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 6 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked great in their games this season with their 30-13 record overall which has them right near the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have been a great road team this year with their 15-5 road record and even though they aren't leading the East like last season, they are still the defending champions and have one of the best teams in the league. Meanwhile, the Clippers have looked good in their games this season with their 24-18 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have looked great on their home court with their 15-7 home record this year, but they have also been a really up and down team all season. Kawhi Leonard has missed a lot of time this season and is just starting to come back to the lineup now, but he doesn't play in every game and it is tough for the team to stay in rhythm like that. They are coming off a home loss to the Bulls in their last one and they looked terrible in that game. They haven't looked great lately either, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Celtics have been struggling themselves lately, going 6-4 in their last 10 games, but they have still been the hotter team lately and have some momentum on their side as they are coming off a huge win over the Warriors in their last one. The Celtics have been looking to get themselves back on track after a bad stretch of games so they are going to be focused to follow up that big win with another win here against a Clippers team that has been so inconsistent from game to game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.
Celtics Clippers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, January 22, 2025 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Celtics 117 Clippers 102.
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NBA Betting Trends
Boston Celtics: 31-19 1H ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less. 27-15 1H ATS when the total is 210 to 219.5. 85-51 1H ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 25-17 OVER when the total is 210 to 219.5. 12-5 OVER versus good defensive teams - allowing 108 points/game or less.
Los Angeles Clippers: 5-12 ATS revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more. 22-33 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 20-36 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days. 16-7 UNDER as a home underdog of 6 points or less. 17-9 UNDER in a home game where the total is 210 to 219.5.
Key Injuries
Boston Celtics: None.
Los Angeles Clippers: I. Zubac (C) Day To Day - Eye. K. Leonard (SF) Day To Day - Knee. P. Tucker (SF) Out - Personal.
Notable Quotes
“When you have a team like us, who has the opportunity to be on a platform, you try to take advantage of that. So yeah, it’s good to coach on a day like this, but I think the bigger picture for me is the ability to have the platform that we have as a team to do that throughout the regular season.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s win against the Warriors in their game on Monday.
“I knew coming into the game that they were going to play hard. They were thirsty for a win. So, they came in, they attacked us. I thought defensively they did a good job by mixing the zone and man up to keep us off balanced. Offensively, we just played way too slow.” - Tyronn Lue after his team’s loss against the Bulls in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics
PG Derrick White
SG Jrue Holiday
SF Jaylen Brown
PF Jayson Tatum
C Kristaps Porzingis
Los Angeles Clippers
PG James Harden
SG Norman Powell
SF Kawhi Leonard
PF Derrick Jones Jr.
C Ivica Zubac
Statistical Leaders
Boston Celtics
PPG: J. Tatum (27.5)
APG: J. Tatum (5.4)
Reb/G: J. Tatum (9.3)
Los Angeles Clippers
PPG: N. Powell (23.7)
APG: J. Harden (8.1)
Reb/G: I. Zubac (12.7)
Coaches:
Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (3rd season)
Los Angeles Clippers: Tyronn Lue (5th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
