The Portland Trail Blazers continue their long road trip with a stop at TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Portland has won four of its last five games, including a 119-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Boston, meanwhile, is coming off a 110-103 win against Denver and has been relying on its bench with key players sidelined.
Boston won the last meeting between these teams, 124-107, in April 2024. The Celtics currently sit second in the Eastern Conference with a 43-18 record, while the Trail Blazers are 12th in the West at 28-34. Both teams are dealing with injuries, with Boston missing Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday and Portland playing without key big men Deandre Ayton and Matisse Thybulle.
Portland Trail Blazers Preview – Road Trip Momentum
Portland has been playing well on this road trip, winning four of five games. Anfernee Simons continues to lead the offense, averaging 19.0 points per game. He scored 34 points in the win over Philadelphia, helping the Trail Blazers control the game early.
Shaedon Sharpe has also stepped up, especially on defense and rebounding. He had a career-high 11 rebounds against the 76ers, showing his value on both ends of the floor. Portland has struggled offensively overall this season, ranking 22nd in field goal percentage at 45.4%.
The team remains inconsistent on defense, allowing 108.2 points per game. They will need to slow down Boston’s perimeter shooting to have a chance in this matchup. Injuries to Ayton and Thybulle limit their defensive options in the paint.
Boston Celtics Preview – Bench Production Key
Boston’s depth has been a major factor in its recent performances. Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta contributed valuable minutes in the win over Denver. With Porzingis and Holiday out, Al Horford stepped up, scoring 19 points and defending Nikola Jokic effectively.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to lead the Celtics, combining for 38 points against the Nuggets. Derrick White has also been productive, scoring 17 points while contributing on defense. The Celtics rank third in defensive efficiency, limiting opponents to just 45.2% shooting.
Boston has also been strong at home, boasting a 19-11 record at TD Garden. They will look to use their defensive strength and three-point shooting to secure another win over Portland.
Betting Prediction
Boston is favored in this matchup, as expected. The Celtics have won eight of the last ten meetings against Portland, covering the spread in six of those games. The Trail Blazers have played well on this road trip but may struggle to keep up with Boston’s defense.
Expect the Celtics to take control early and cover the spread. Portland’s injuries and inconsistency on both ends make it difficult to trust them in this spot. The total has gone under in eight of the last ten meetings, making the under a solid consideration.
Pick: Boston Celtics -17.5 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday in blowout fashion.
