Thursday’s matchup is a marquee one as the Boston Celtics head to Paycom Center to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a clash between the NBA’s two most recent champions.
Boston comes into the contest at 43-22, sitting second in the Eastern Conference, while Oklahoma City owns the league’s best record at 51-15.
Here’s a preview of this game, scheduled for a 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff.
Celtics vs Thunder Odds
Moneyline: Celtics (+220) vs Thunder (-270)
Spread: Celtics +6.5 (-110) vs Thunder -6.5 (-110)
Total (O/U): Celtics o216.5 (-110) vs Thunder u216.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Celtics vs Thunder Preview
Boston is coming off a 125-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in a controversial game that saw Jaylen Brown ejected less than 15 minutes into the contest, while it was also Jayson Tatum’s third appearance since returning from an Achilles injury.
Tatum finished with 24 points on 24 shots in that outing, while Derrick White paced the Celtics with 34 points.
The Celtics are now 2-1 since Tatum returned, and during that stretch they have posted the league’s fifth-best defensive rating. Tatum has averaged 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in those games, still appearing far from his pre-injury form but beginning to show flashes.
The Thunder, meanwhile, enter the game riding a six-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Denver Nuggets behind a statement performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded 35 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds, zero turnovers and a game-winning triple.
The game also presents a chance at history, as if Gilgeous-Alexander scores 20 or more points, he will surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for consecutive games with at least 20 points after tying it with his 126th game against the Nuggets.
Boston enters Thursday’s matchup 3.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the best record in the East. It will also mark the final contest of the Celtics’ three-game road trip.
For Oklahoma City, this will be the third game of a four-game homestand before the team embarks on a five-game road trip.
Injury Reports
For Boston, Nikola Vucevic is out with a right finger injury, while Jayson Tatum is questionable due to injury management on his right Achilles and Derrick White is questionable with a right knee contusion. Payton Pritchard, who is dealing with neck spasms, is probable.
The Thunder will be short-handed as well, with Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein out along with Branden Carlson, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber.
Prediction
Oklahoma City will be missing two starters in this matchup. However, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the offense and bench guards Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain providing support, the Thunder should still have enough firepower to handle Boston.
Our prediction: Thunder win by 11.
Celtics vs Thunder Player Props
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander O/U 30.5 points – Take the over.
- Jaylen Brown O/U 23.5 points – Take the over.
- Jayson Tatum O/U 19.5 points – Take the over.
- Ajay Mitchell O/U 12.5 points – Take the over.
