The Washington Wizards (25-36), 9.5-point underdogs, will travel to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics (37-25). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 231.5 points and action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 1, 2019.
Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics Betting Odds
The Wizards will be hoping for a similar outcome after defeating the Brooklyn Nets in their last matchup, 125-116, as 5-point underdogs. The Celtics, on the other hand, were topped by the Portland Trail Blazers, 97-92, and were not able to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The Washington game went 3 points over the projected point total of 238, while the Boston game finished 38.5 points under the projected point total of 227.5.
Washington dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 19.8) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.516 (below their season average of 0.535). Brooklyn was 14.9 and 0.506, respectively, for those same stats. Boston, meanwhile, held Portland to an effective field goal percentage of 0.456 (below their season average of 0.527). Kyrie Irving had a good outing for Boston with 31 points and five rebounds. Washington was led by Trevor Ariza, who recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, Irving led the Celtics to a 130-125 victory. He was the game’s leading scorer with 38 points. Boston covered as a 3.5-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 255 points, which was well over the projected point total of 220. Boston’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Celtics had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. eight), defensive rebounds (36 vs. 33) and total rebounds (50 vs. 41).
Vegas has a tendency to place the total low when the Wizards are involved, as 39 of their 61 games have finished over the total. Washington comes into the game with records of 25-36 straight up (SU) and 25-34-2 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Washington, Celtics games also tend to finish over the projected point total (56.5 percent). Further, Boston owns records of 37-25 SU and 30-31-1 ATS.
The Wizards’ Bradley Beal has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 34 points,7.6 assists,1.8 steals per game. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown has averaged 13 points,1.8 steals during that same time frame for the Celtics.
Ball security could play a key role in this showdown. Boston commits the fourth-fewest miscues in the league (turnover percentage of 12.5 percent), while the gambling defense of Washington forces the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.2 percent).
Wizards vs. Celtics Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 14th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3) while the Wizards rank 26th (14.4).
- Boston ranks third in assists allowed per game (22.9) while Washington ranks 27th (26.0).
- The Celtics average 16.2 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Wizards rank 24th in fast break points allowed per game (14.8).
- Boston ranks third in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Washington ranks 19th (7.8).
- Washington averages 33.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Boston ranks 26th in three pointers allowed per game (33.4).
- The Celtics rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.3) while the Wizards rank 25th (51.0).
- The Celtics rank fifth in blocks per game (5.7) while the Wizards rank 21st (4.8).
- Boston ranks 18th in rebounds per game (44.9) while Washington ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (47.5).
- Boston ranks third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while Washington ranks 21st (17.4).
- Washington is 8-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Boston is 13-4.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Celtics are 37-18 and the Wizards are 24-31.
- Washington is 9-23-1 ATS on the road, while Boston is 19-13 ATS at home.
- The Wizards have 20 overs and 13 unders in 33 road games.
- Of the Celtics’ 32 home games, they have 20 overs and 12 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Wizards are 1-3-1.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Washington has 5 overs.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 103.6 points per game (8.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.8 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
- The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 3.0 for the season.
