The Boston Celtics host the San Antonio Spurs at TD Garden on Wednesday night. This is the final game before the All-Star break for both teams. The Celtics have a 38-16 record, ranking second in the Eastern Conference. The Spurs are 23-28 and sit in 12th place in the Western Conference.
Boston won the last meeting between these teams on January 17, defeating San Antonio 117-98. The Celtics have won six of their last seven games, while the Spurs have been adjusting to new addition De’Aaron Fox. Boston is an 8.5-point favorite, with the total set at 233.5.
Boston Preview – Strong Offense Leading the Way
The Celtics have one of the best records in the NBA, led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. Tatum is averaging 26.9 points per game, with Brown contributing 22.9 and Porzingis adding 19.1. Boston has also benefited from Sam Hauser’s recent shooting improvement.
Boston ranks in the top 10 in multiple offensive categories, including three-point shooting and assists. They are averaging 113.2 points per game, ranking 15th in the league. The Celtics have struggled slightly at home, going 16-10 in TD Garden games this season.
Defensively, Boston ranks fourth in points allowed per game, giving up 108.2. They rank third in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 45.0% shooting. The team is dealing with injuries to Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown, which could impact their backcourt depth.
San Antonio Preview – Wembanyama and Fox Carry the Load
San Antonio is led by rookie Victor Wembanyama and recently acquired De’Aaron Fox. Wembanyama is averaging 24.4 points per game, while Fox has put up 21.3 points per game in four contests since joining the team. Both players scored over 30 points in the Spurs’ 131-121 win over Washington on Monday.
San Antonio has struggled defensively, ranking 28th in the league in third-quarter scoring defense. The team allows 113.2 points per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. They have hit the game total over in 12 of their last 14 games.
The Spurs have a 9-15 record on the road and will have a tough task slowing down Boston’s offense. They will need big performances from Wembanyama and Fox to keep the game competitive. The team is still developing chemistry after recent roster changes.
Betting Prediction
Boston is an 8.5-point favorite, and the total is set at 233.5. The Celtics won the last matchup by 19 points and have been strong against Western Conference teams. The Spurs have struggled on the road and defensively, which could lead to another big scoring night for Boston.
The total could be a key betting angle, as San Antonio has hit the over in 12 of its last 14 games. However, Boston has trended toward the under at home. The Celtics should win this game, but the spread is large. Expect a final score around 118-105 in favor of Boston.
Pick: Boston Celtics -8.5
The defending champions pick up a win in this one.
