The nightcap for Friday’s NBA schedule is a doozy, as two teams with NBA Finals aspirations will square off when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have lofty goals but they have dropped three of their last four games, while the Clippers have won and covered the spread in four of their last five, and will be laying 6.5 points at home in this matchup.
Check out our NBA free picks and predictions for Celtics vs. Clippers on Friday, February 5 with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET.
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Injuries
Celtics: Jaylen Brown G (Questionable), Payton Pritchard G (Questionable), Marcus Smart G (Out), Romeo Langford G (Out).
Clippers: Patrick Beverley G (Out), Jay Scrubb G (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning percent above .600, while the Clippers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Clippers.
NBA Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonLos Angeles stretched from -5 to -6.5 a couple of times at FanDuel, and the line is currently at that high point of -6.5, as of 6:30 p.m. ET. However, Boston is taking 56 percent of bets and 54 percent of money on the spread. The total opened at 221.5 and got as low as 218.5, then rebounded to 220, with tickets and money running more than 4/1 on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the Spread (ATS) Pick
When healthy, the Boston Celtics have a chance to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. But that’s the problem — the C’s have rarely been healthy this season.
Kemba Walker is still getting back into playing shape, Jayson Tatum has missed chunks of time, Marcus Smart is out for the next couple of weeks with a calf strain, and now Jaylen Brown is questionable with left knee soreness. That doesn’t make building chemistry easy and it has shown.
After beginning the season 8-3, Boston is just 3-6 straight up and 4-5 ATS since. Those chemistry issues have shown against better teams, with the Celtics going just 1-4 ATS in their last five games vs. opponents with a .600 winning percentage or better. The Clippers certainly fall in that category.
The Clippers have won 11 of their last 13 ball games, going 8-5 ATS over that span thanks to an offense that is humming and a defense that is improving.
Los Angeles ranks second in offensive rating and is the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA, hitting 42.3 percent of their attempts. While the Celtics are solid when it comes to defending the perimeter, that might not matter against the Clippers, who have so many good shooters and great ball movement. We’re laying the points with the better, more in sync team.
PREDICTION: Clippers -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
While the Under is 4-1 in the Celtics' last five games, the Over is 5-1 in their last six games as road underdogs. Though their scoring has been inconsistent this season, when they are on, they can keep up with anyone.
On the other side, the Clippers are putting up 118.8 points per game over their last 13 and get to go up against a Celtics defense that ranks 21st in opponent field goal percentage. The Over is also 4-1 in the Clippers' last five games overall.
With a reasonable total of 220 and two offenses that are capable of lighting it up, we are leaning towards the Over.
PREDICTION: Over 220 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
One of the reasons the Clippers are rolling so well is that Kawhi Leonard is in the middle of a groove. Leonard is averaging 29.4 points on 54.8 percent shooting over his last five games. As mentioned, the Celtics have had trouble defending against elite teams and Kawhi is the best player in this game. Keep an eye on Brown’s status because if he is out, Leonard is a lock to go Over his point total. But we still like it either way.
PREDICTION: Kawhi Leonard Over 26.5 Points (-115)
Celtics vs Clippers Betting Card
- Clippers -6.5 (-110)
- Over 220 (-110)
- Kawhi Leonard Over 26.5 Points (-115)
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