Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Spread and Trends to Watch - 12/17/2021

by James Q

Thursday, Dec 16, 2021

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Spread and Trends to Watch - 12/17/2021

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, December 16th, 2021 
Venue:  TD Garden, Boston Massachusetts
Where to Watch:  ESPN 

Opening NBA Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings:  Spread: Warriors -2.5; O/U 214.5
BetMGM:  Spread:  Warriors -3.5; O/U 214.5

VegasInsider:  Spread:  Warriors -2.5; O/U 214.5
 

Season Record

Warriors: 23-5, 1st place Western Conference
Celtics: 14-14, 10th place Eastern Conference

It’s the week of Stephen Curry.  Steph set the record for 3-pointers made all time in the history of the NBA… and he has several seasons left to play.  He is poised to set one of those records that doesn’t get broken until long after the people that watched him play are resting comfortably in their graves. Steph Curry’s team, is also in first place in the Western Conference and in the league.  They go back and forth with the Phoenix Suns in that first place spot depending on which team played last.  After a forgettable loss to the Philadelphia 76ers 102-93, the Warriors got back on track and have won their last two games against the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. The Warriors are in a great rhythm and hitting shots.  

The Boston Celtics are a far cry from the contender they have been over the last 5 seasons.  They are in the middle of a five-game homestand and sit at .500 after the first 28 games of the NBA season. They won their last game against the Milwaukee Bucks 117-103, but lost to the Phoenix Suns the game before 111-90.  The Celtics have a severe identity crisis right now.  They aren’t sure if Jayson Tatum is the star and Jaylen Brown is the trade bait… or the other way around?... What they do know is they aren’t winning to their expectations… Boston fans can never be certain what opponents will steal a win.  They happily beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and his backup dancers the Milwaukee Bucks in their last game.  The Celtics are in an odd time… the Eastern Conference is rapidly improving with teams like the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Washington Wizards getting better all the time.  

ON ABSOLUTE FIRE! 9 IN A ROW with all TITAN plays in NBA and it was ANOTHER CBB WIN but tough OT loss in NBA and all sports 1-2 Tuesday. The fact remains ASA has been RED HOT long-term and this includes 9 STRAIGHT TITAN WINNERS on the pro hardwood! 10 IN A ROW?! Get Asa’s picks right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. NCAAF, NFL, MLB… get positive value from all your bets! Expert picks!  Fun fact… winning a wager is much better than making a wager!

LA Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Analysis

Recent Form

The Warriors are 23-5 on the season, but 18-9-1 ATS.  They have logged 7 Overs, 20 Unders and 1 Push.  They are 9-3 in road games.  They are 7-3 over their last ten games.  The three teams that have beaten them are the 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and the Phoenix Suns.  They rarely get a loss… so for entertainment purposes we have room to list them.

The Celtics are 14-14 on the season, but 15-13 ATS.  They have notched 11 Overs, 16 Unders and 1 Push.  They are 7-4 in home games.  The Celtics are 4-6 over their last 10 games.  They have sunk their way to .500 on the season.  

Offensive Analysis

The Warriors are 3rd in the NBA in scoring with 111.8, 3rd in rebounds with 47 per, and 10th in AST/TO ratio 1.8.  As always they are shooting great.  They are 3rd in FG% and 5th in 3PT%.

The Celtics are 13th in ppg with 108.3, 8th in rebounds with 45.8 per, and 17th in AST/TO ratio with 1.7.  Those numbers are good, but backed by really low shooting numbers.  They are 22nd in FG%, 23rd in 3PT%

Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction 

Our prediction for Friday, December 17th is….  

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NBA Betting Trends

Boston is 3-1 ATS versus Golden State over the last 3 seasons.
Boston is 2-0 ATS versus Golden State at Boston over the last 3 seasons.

Injury list

Warriors: SG Klay Thompson (knee) Out ** C James Wiseman (knee) Out

Celtics: PF Jabari Parker (illness) Out ** PF Bruno Fernando (back) Out

Starting Lineups

Warriors: PG Stephen Curry, SG Jordan Poole, SF Andrew Wiggins, PF Draymond Green, C Kevon Looney

Celtics: PG Marcus Smart, SG Jaylen Brown, SF Jayson Tatuml, PF Al Horford, C Robert Williams III

Statistical Leaders

Warriors
Points: Stephen Curry 26.9
Assists: Draymond Green 7.3
Rebounds: Draymond Green 8.0
Steals: Stephen Curry 1.6
Blocks: 1.0

Celtics
Points: Jayson Tatum 26.2
Assists: Marcus Smart 5.6
Rebounds: Jayson Tatum 8.6
Steals: Marcus Smart 2.1
Blocks: Robert Willams III 1.7

Coaches

Warriors: Steve Kerr
Celtics: Ime Udoka




James Q

About the Author:

James Q. has been involved with sports and gambling his entire life. A former division 1 scholarship basketball player, James understands sports (and especially basketball) inside-and-out. Following his basketball playing days, James parlayed his gambling skills into a semi-pro poker career. James resides in Los Angeles, and especially loves the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Dodgers. And when he isn't betting on sports (and writing about it), James can be found performing stand-up comedy on the Sunset Strip.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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