The Boston Celtics are - once again - abuzz in NBA trade rumors, entrenched in a 12-10 record that has many slotting them a tier below the East's upper crust.
Tonight they face the Utah Jazz, who have been one of the hottest teams in the league, with NBA odds slotting them as 5.5-point favorites for tonight's action.
Can the Celtics tune out the media distractions and dial in for a cover tonight? Find out with our Celtics vs. Jazz picks and predictions, tipping off Tuesday, February 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Injuries
Celtics: Jaylen Brown SF (Questionable).
Jazz: Mike Conley PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Jazz are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Jazz.
NBA Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonUtah is up a half-point to -6 at PointsBet USA, but it's two-way action with a lean toward Boston, which is getting 51 percent of tickets and 52 percent of money. The total is down a point to 219, though tickets and money are in the 2/1 range on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the Spread (ATS) Pick
So, which version of the Celtics do we get tonight? The one that came within inches of beating the Lakers on national TV? Or the one that lost to the Kings a few nights later?
Boston has been highly mercurial of late and have had trouble getting much consistency beyond Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the latter of whom is both questionable for tonight and a lock to join the former in this year's All-Star game (if LeBron doesn't kibosh it first).
Utah, meanwhile, has been on an absolute tear and is now alone atop the NBA with a 19-5 record. The Jazz lost to Denver 128-117 without Donovan Mitchell on January 31, but have since reeled off four straight Ws by an average margin of 14.5 points. Prior to that Denver loss, Utah had covered the spread in a ridiculous 11 straight games. Overall, the Jazz are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 games.
Mike Conley will sit this one out with a sore hammy and he's worth more to the Jazz than most people will realize, but not enough to fade Utah with the way they're playing and Sixth Man of the Year odds favorite Jordan Clarkson able to fill in.
PREDICTION: Utah -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
The Jazz and Celtics have had wildly oscillating totals recently, befitting of one team in flux and another team crushing on both sides of the ball.
Utah ranks third in defensive rating and fourth in offensive rating, the only Top-5 team in both realms. They can dictate tempo according to how they think they can beat you, which is a tough read against a Celtics team that ranks 10th in O-rating and 16th on D, leaving no overt strength or weakness.
While it's tough to get a read on recent trends, the Celtics could very well be weary on the tail end of a brutal road trip that's seen them play five games, each in different cities, in the past week.
It's tough to see them coming out blazing in this one after mustering just 91 points in a Sunday loss to Phoenix. Boston was without Brown in that one and could be again tonight. If he does suit up, he'll likely not be 100 percent.
Utah might just dial in defensively, and keeping Tatum and Brown out of the paint will be easier when Rudy Gobert can roam free, knowing Boston's bigs are relative non-threats on offense. It's a close one here, but Under feels like the safer play.
PREDICTION: Under 220.5 (-110)
First Quarter Prop Pick
We'll keep this one quick and painless for a prop you won't have to sit around all game to sweat. Utah is third in the league in both first quarter margin (3.25) and ATS record (15-9). Meanwhile the Celtics, after a hot Q1 ATS start, have stumbled to the league median at 11-11, with a -0.18 rating.
A weary team capping a gross road trip at a high altitude sounds like a pretty freaking good mark for a slow start. Given Utah's complementary track record this season, the first quarter spread is a great way to round out tonight's card.
PREDICTION: Utah first quarter -2 (-112)
Celtics vs Jazz Betting Card
- Utah -5.5 (-110)
- Under 220.5 (-110)
- Utah first quarter -2 (-112)
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