- What: NBA Regular Season Game
- When: January 7, 2025
- Who: Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets
- Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
- Where: Ball Arena (Denver, CO)
The Boston Celtics are rolling into Denver with a solid record of 26-10, but let’s not forget that they’re facing a Nuggets team that’s been on a tear lately.
Sure, the Celtics have the star power with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but 5.5 points on the road is a hefty cushion for a team that’s been struggling to find their rhythm from beyond the arc.
After a rough outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they shot a dismal 19.6% from three, the Celtics are looking to bounce back, but the Nuggets are no slouches at home.
Boston
Let’s talk about the Celtics’ perimeter defense, or lack thereof. They’ve been giving up the fifth-most three-pointers to centers this season, and Jokic is more than capable of capitalizing on that.
He’s made at least two threes in four of the last five meetings against Boston, and with the Celtics struggling to defend the perimeter, it’s a recipe for disaster.
The Nuggets’ defense has also been solid, allowing just 32.3% of shots from downtown in their last three games. This matchup could be a challenge for the Celtics, especially if they can’t find their shooting touch.
TONIGHT ☘️ Celtics at @nuggets
⏰ 10:00 PM EST
???? @NBCSBoston & @NBAonTNT
????️ @985TheSportsHub#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/0miIZgvcVG— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2025
Derrick White, who’s been a reliable third option for Boston, had a rough outing against the Thunder, and he’ll need to step up against Jamal Murray, who’s been playing well lately.
White has cleared his scoring line in four of his last five games, but the Nuggets’ defense is no joke, allowing the seventh-most points per game this season.
If White can’t find his rhythm, it could put even more pressure on Tatum and Brown to carry the load.
Denver
Denver has been a tough opponent at Ball Arena, boasting a 10-6 record at home this season. They’ve also been covering the spread well, going 6-3 as underdogs this season.
The Nuggets are currently riding a 4-1 streak against the spread and straight up, which is a testament to their resilience. Nikola Jokic is playing at an MVP level, averaging 31.5 points, 13 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game.
See you tonight, Nuggets Nation! pic.twitter.com/Q8MgY75DVp
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 7, 2025
He’s been a nightmare for opposing defenses, and with the Celtics allowing 41.6% of three-point attempts to go in over their last three games, Jokic could exploit that weakness.
The Celtics are also coming off a tough road trip, and while they’ve had success against the Nuggets in the past, they’ve lost three straight to Denver.
The Nuggets have home-court advantage, and with the Celtics struggling to find their shooting form, it’s hard to see them winning by six or more points.
The Nuggets have been undervalued in this matchup, and with the odds at -110 for the +5.5 spread, it’s a smart play to take the points.
Celtics-Nuggets Best Bet
While the Celtics may be the favorites, the Nuggets at +5.5 is the best bet in this matchup.
With Jokic leading the charge and the Celtics struggling to find their shooting touch, it’s hard to see Boston winning by a significant margin.
Take the points and ride with the Nuggets in this one.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
