The Washington Wizards (32-49) welcome the Boston Celtics (48-33) to Capital One Arena to open Eastern Conference play. The game will air on TNT at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.
Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards ATS Odds
Both teams lost as favorites in their last matchup. The Celtics (4-point favorites) were defeated by the Orlando Magic, 116-108, while the Wizards (4-point favorites) fell to the New York Knicks, 113-110. The Boston game finished 6 points over the projected point total of 218, while the Washington game finished 3.5 points under the projected point total of 226.5.
Boston made 12 of their 31 three pointers (38.7 percent) while Washington had a turnover percentage of 6.7 (better than their season average of 12.0). Troy Brown played a key role for Washington with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving had a solid performance for Boston, finishing with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds.
In their two matchups this year, the Celtics have won both. The two teams combined to score 203 points in their most recent game, which was well under the projected point total of 234.5. Boston won 107-96, covering as a 10-point favorite. The Celtics’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Wizards. Boston had a rate of 10.6, while Washington posted a mark of 15.6. Bradley Beal recorded a double-double in the loss, with 29 points and 11 rebounds.
Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Celtics are involved, as 55.6 percent of their games have ended over the projected point total. Boston comes into the contest with records of 48-33 straight up (SU) and 37-42-2 against the spread (ATS).
Wizards games also have a tendency to finish over the total (60.5 percent). Moreover, Washington is 32-49 SU and 36-43-2 ATS.
The Celtics’ Gordon Hayward has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 17 points,5.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Thomas Bryant has averaged 18 points,12.8 rebounds,3.2 assists,1.4 blocks during that same time frame for the Wizards.
It will be a showdown of conflicting paces as the up-tempo Wizards (ranked seventh in the league in possessions per game) will look to push the more half-court-oriented Celtics (20th in possessions per game).
Celtics at Wizards Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (45.8) while the Wizards rank 27th (47.2).
- Boston ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (46.0) while Washington ranks 29th (52.2).
- The Celtics rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while the Wizards rank 19th (16.9).
- Washington averages 33.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 12th in the league. Boston ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (33.4).
- Boston ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while Washington ranks 10th (4.6).
- The Celtics rank fifth in assists per game (26.3) while the Wizards rank 26th in assists allowed per game (26.2).
- The Celtics rank seventh in fast break points per game (16.2) while the Wizards rank 17th in fast break points allowed per game (13.9).
- Boston ranks 22nd in second chance points per game (12.5) while Washington ranks 24th in second chance points allowed per game (14.1).
- Boston ranks third in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Washington ranks 20th (7.7).
- Washington is 10-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Boston is 16-4.
- When reaching the century mark, the Celtics are 48-24 and the Wizards are 30-42.
- Washington is 22-16-1 ATS at home, while Boston is 17-21-2 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 25 of the Wizards’ 39 home games, while 20 of the Celtics’ 40 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Boston and Washington are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Celtics have 2 overs, 2 pushes and 1 under over their last five games, while the Wizards have 3 overs and 2 unders
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, down from 4.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 111.0 points per game (3.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (1.9 below their season average).
