Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Angelia Ronayne

The reigning champions Denver Nuggets (42-20) host the current title favourites Boston Celtics (48-13) in a star-studded matchup at the Ball Arena.

Both sides are tipped to make it out of their respective conferences, so this could provide a glimpse into what could be a potential finals series.

How to Watch Nuggets vs Celtics in the UK:

UK viewers will be able to watch the game on TNT Sports 2, with tip-off at 3am.

Recent Form:

Each team come into this matchup on the back of losses. The Nuggets hosted the Phoenix Suns, and lost 117-107 in overtime. Meanwhile, the Celtics took on the Cleveland Cavaliers. They seemed set for victory, up big late in the fourth quarter, but Cleveland, without Donovan Mitchell erased a 22-point deficit to win 105-104. Forward Dean Wade outscored the C’s in the period, 20-17.

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are currently third in the Western Conference, as they look to keep pace with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder, who occupy the first two places. They will also hope to create some separation between themselves and the fourth seed LA Clippers, who are just two games behind. In their most recent game with the Suns, they came back from down 15 at half-time to take the game to overtime, but could not finish the job as Kevin Durant ended on 35 points with eight in the extra period.

Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics side are flying high at the top of the Eastern Conference, 7.5 games ahead of the second seed Milwaukee Bucks, but just had an 11-game winning streak snapped. Amidst this run, they beat the Golden State Warriors at the weekend by an incredible 52 points, which made them the first team in NBA history to win three games by 50+ points in a single season. The game was effectively over in the first quarter, as they held a 22-point lead, before extending that to 44 by half-time. As a result, Steve Kerr’s starters did not re-emerge for the second half, and the Celtics were eventually able to rest all of their stars as well. Jaylen Brown led the way with 29 points, 19 of those coming in the first quarter.

The first meeting between these two sides took place in January, as the Nuggets inflicted the Celtics’ first home defeat of the season in a 102-100 victory. Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way with 34 and 35 points respectively.

This game will feature two leading candidates for the league’s Most Valuable Player award in Jokic and Jayson Tatum. Jokic leads the NBA MVP ladder, whilst Tatum is not far behind in fourth. Tatum averages 27.1 points per game with 8.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Jokic is as dominant as ever, contributing 25.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game.

With a record of 19-10, the Celtics have the joint-best road form alongside the Cavaliers. Their trip to Denver will be the second game of a five-game road trip. The Nuggets have the second best home record at 24-6, only bettered by Thursday’s opponents. This will be the second of a four-game home stand.

Injury News:

Denver Nuggets:

There are no players on the Nuggets’ injury report. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made his return from a one-game absence against the Suns.

Boston Celtics:

Center Kristaps Porzingis returned from a one-game absence against the Cavaliers. Neemias Queta is the only player on the Celtics’ injury report.

Betting Odds:

The Celtics stand as favourites for the Championship, coming in at 5/2 with BoyleSports. The Nuggets, who won the NBA Finals last year, come in as second favourites at 9/2 with 888Sport. 

Both are also favourites to win their respective Conferences. SpreadEx offer Boston to claim the East at 19/20, while the Nuggets are backed to top the West by LiveScoreBet at 23/10. 

Check back closer to tip-off for in-depth odds ahead of the showdown at the Ball Arena. 

Prediction: 

Both teams will be hoping to bounce back from tough defeats. The Celtics will be reeling from giving up such a huge lead, whilst the Nuggets’ comeback fell short. This will be an extremely competitive game which should be close throughout. Whilst the Celtics are strong both home and away, the hosts should use home court to their advantage. OddsNow predict a Nuggets win.

 

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