Date/Time: 08-02-2020, 15:30 EDT
Spread: Boston Celtics -4 Total: +230.5
The Celtics (43-22), who have a playoff spot already secured, are facing the Blazers (30-37), who are still chasing a place in the postseason. The Celtics are third and 1½ game ahead of the Heat. On the other hand, the Blazers are 2½ games behind the eighth and final playoff place of the West.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have a 43-22 record (38-24-3 ATS) and are third in the East. In the first game of the restart, they lost to the Bucks, 119-112, failing to cover the +3.5 spread.
Jayson Tatum leads the team in scoring with 23.3 ppg, adding 7.1 rebounds. He was disappointing in the loss to the Bucks, though, scoring just 5 points on a horrid 2-18 shooting.
Portland Trail Blazers
Blazers have a 30-37 record (28-37-2 ATS) and are 9th in the West. In their last game, they won against the Grizzlies in overtime, 140-135, covering the -3.5 spread.
Damian Lillard leads the team both in scoring 28.9 ppg and in assists made with 7.8. CJ McCollum adds 22.7 ppg and he is coming off a huge 33-point game with 14-21 shooting.
Head-to-head
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Celtics won on the road 106-118.
The Blazers are better offensively (114 to 113). The Celtics are better defensively (107 to 115.5).
Portland has better percentages both in FG’s (46.2% to 45.8%) and in 3-pointers (37.3% to 36.1%). They also commit fewer turnovers (13.1 to 13.7).
On the other hand, the Celtics are better both in rebounding (46 to 45.4) and in assists (22.7 to 20.3).
Bookmakers give the Celtics a -4 spread, but don’t expect them to beat the odds. The Blazers need this win more and they will surely force a closer game than that.
Blazers vs Celtics Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers +4 (-107)
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