Celtics vs Clippers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Kawhi Returns, Dominates Boston's Wings

If I had told you before the season that the Boston Celtics would be among the inner circle contenders come the Christmas break, there would be little surprise. How about if I told you the Los Angeles Clippers would join them? 

And that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the poster children for the load management era, would have missed two games combined in that same time?

The Clippers have flipped the script on this NBA season. Not only are they healthy and good, but for a team that employs a lot of players who aren’t exactly seen as team-first at times, the vibes are immaculate.

Boston has a tall task ahead if they want to go into Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, December 23, and come away with the win. My free NBA picks for Celtics vs. Clippers believe even one of the best defenses in the NBA isn’t enough to slow down this version of Kawhi.

(Editor's Note: This preview was published prior to Saturday afternoon's announcement that Kawhi Leonard will sit out tonight's game.)

Celtics vs Clippers odds

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Celtics vs Clippers predictions

The Los Angeles Clippers are contenders. Believe me, I’m as surprised as you are. James Harden has helped elevate their offense, the team defends like hell, and Russell Westbrook has seamlessly transitioned into his optimal role as a super-sub off the bench.

But really, all of that is ancillary. None of that matters if Kawhi Leonard isn't playing like a Top-5 NBA player come playoff time and staying healthy while doing it. For the first time in years, it’s looking like that might just happen.

It was almost cruel how we got to get a brief glimpse of Leonard in peak form last summer. Kawhi hasn’t finished a playoff run healthy (non-Bubble edition) since he was in San Antonio. Even in his 2019 title run with the Raptors, some may forget he was basically playing on one leg during the NBA Finals.

Watching him put the fear of god into the Suns before suffering yet another heartbreaking knee injury was a reminder of just how good this guy is when he’s fully on.

Kawhi missed just his first game of the season on Thursday after banging his hip against the Mavericks. He's played in every back-to-back as well, and after starting the season on shaky legs, he now looks as good as he’s ever been.

In his last seven games, Kawhi is averaging 32.4 points on 63.3% from the field, 52.5% from three, and 95.7 from the line. This is terminator Kawhi. This is the Kawhi that can be the best player on a title team, no question. 

Kawhi didn’t come into the league as a naturally fluid scorer but has become one of the most lethal shooters — from inside the arc and out — of all time.

Leonard is so smooth and yet so strong that he can create separation against practically any opponent. He’ll need to against the Boston Celtics as well, who have a roster full of players theoretically suited to hanging with him. 

But there’s also a chance that Jayson Tatum will miss Saturday’s game, in which case the ideal matchups for Kawhi drop off substantially. While the Celtics present a more difficult challenge than most, I still think these Kawhi Leonard odds are more than favorable.

My best bet: Kawhi Leonard Over 27.5 points (-105 at SIA)

Celtics vs Clippers same-game parlay

Kawhi Leonard Over 27.5 points

Jayson Tatum Under 29.5 points

Clippers +1.5

+465 at DraftKings

I’m feeling the Clippers' side of the ball with Saturday’s same-game parlay, backing an L.A. cover as well as Tatum Under 29.5 points to go with my best bet on The Claw.

Boston is ranked Top 5 on both sides of the ball, while the Clippers are just narrowly outside of it on both ends. That makes them incredibly well-matched, and while the Celtics have shown consistency throughout the season, the Clippers have played at a higher level and begun to make up ground over the last two weeks. 

I think the Clippers are playing better at this moment, and their opponent can’t reach its ceiling in a game like this when Kristaps Porzingis is confirmed out. The time of this game is also important, as the East Coast Celtics are hurt more by the unusually early start time than the Clippers.

Tatum is coming off a twisted ankle and is also going through a bit of a slump. He’s down to 24 points per game over his last five and is shooting 39.6% from the field and just 30.2% from downtown. 

He can fall in love with the step-back triple at times, which is just not nearly as effective a shot for him as he sometimes seems to think it is. With Leonard and other wing options to throw at him, I think Tatum is due for a subdued scoring game in his return to the court.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Celtics vs Clippers spread and Over/Under analysis

While most sportsbooks have held steady at Celtics -1.5 for Saturday’s game, at least one sportsbook opened with the Clippers favored at -1.5 before shifting to +1.5. The Clippers are an unremarkable 8-6 against the spread at home this season, but they've only hit their stride recently. 

Before losing Kawhi for a game due to a hip injury, the Clippers rattled off a nine-game winning streak. I think they’re a good bet to get back to their winning ways again against Boston because they have answers for the Celtics base defense.

A switching defense like Boston’s is only as strong as the matchup that results from the switch and the Clippers have two of the best isolation scorers in the NBA this season. Kawhi is scoring 1.19 points per possession and Harden is scoring 1.35 points per possession on nearly one out of every four of his shot attempts. 

While against most teams, the Celtics can trust just about anyone in the lineup to guard their man, that could quickly break down against Los Angeles.

NBA odds are offering Saturday’s matinee game at a variety of prices between 229.5 and 231. 

You rarely see a matchup like this one, where both teams are constructed along similar lines, in this case, by focusing on star wing players, but who play to entirely different strengths. 

The Celtics make no secret of the fact that their path to victory lies in overwhelming the opposition in an avalanche of threes. The Clippers by contrast take the second most midrange jumpers in the entire NBA, per Cleaning the Glass, and make their living at the foul line.

Both teams have the personnel to make this a slog. That and the early start time makes me think this will trend toward the Under. The Under is 9-5 in the Clippers’ last 14 home games.

Celtics vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Clippers are 8-6 ATS at home over their last 14 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Clippers.

Celtics vs Clippers game info

Celtics vs Clippers latest injuries

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