Washington Wizards (9-40) vs. Boston Celtics (38-12)
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics 2/9/24 – The Washington Wizards take on the Boston Celtics on Friday in an NBA matchup between two teams at opposite ends of the standings. The Wizards have struggled this season with just 9 wins, while the Celtics have established themselves as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. This figures to be a mismatch on paper, but there could be betting value on the underdog Wizards to keep things close. Read on for a full game breakdown with analysis and the best daily premium picks.
The Wizards’ main issue this season has been their poor offensive production, ranking only 28th with 114.7 points per game. They are shooting a modest 47.6% from the field along with 34.6% from three-point range. Their bright spot has been free throw shooting at 76.8% as a team. Rebounding is also a weakness for Washington, ranking just 21st with 40.4 total rebounds per contest. Defensively they land around league average in most categories. For them to have any chance at an upset, the Wizards must shoot far above their usual averages.
Boston comes in with one of the NBA’s most prolific attacks, averaging 120.3 points per outing. They drain 47.7% of their shots from the field and 37.9% from deep, while also living at the free throw line. Rebounding is another area where the Celtics dominate opponents, pulling down 47.5 boards per game. Defensively they have been decent, but the offense is truly elite already. With Tatum playing at an All-NBA level and the roster brimming with offensive talent, Boston projects to have their way against this subpar Washington defense.
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics 2/9/24 Game Info
| When: | Friday, February 9, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | TD Garden |
| TV: | NBCS-BOS |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Jordan Poole (SG) vs. Jayson Tatum (SF)
Jordan Poole has played in 47 games for the Wizards this season, starting all of them and averaging 29.1 minutes per game. He’s putting up 16.2 points per contest along with 3.6 assists and 1 steal. Though he doesn’t rebound much, his scoring punch and playmaking ability have been bright spots for Washington. Defensively he can be a liability at times with his lack of size and struggles fighting through screens.
Jayson Tatum continues to shine as Boston’s go-to option, starting 46 games while playing 33.2 minutes each night. He’s averaging 22.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals. He has also been very efficient with a 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio. Tatum utilizes his athleticism and length extremely well at both ends of the court. He has the capability to simply shoot over most defenders that Washington throws at him.
This matchup comes down to Tatum being the clearly superior player overall. If Poole can provide enough scoring to match Tatum’s output it would give the Wizards a chance to steal this road game. But more likely is Tatum imposing his will on both ends, dominating the smaller Poole in the post while limiting his impact offensively.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD
The betting odds are yet to be determined. However, insights into both teams’ recent performances and betting trends can provide valuable clues for making informed decisions.
Washington Wizards Betting Trends
The Wizards have been a profitable bet on the road this season, covering the spread in 15 of their 23 away matchups. They also have a winning ATS record in their last 5 games at 2-3. However, the totals have gone OVER in just 1 of their previous 5 contests. For a team that struggles to score, the under looks appealing for Washington’s point totals. With a strong history of covering spreads as underdogs on the highway, taking the points with the Wizards is warranted.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
Despite dominating most opponents, Boston has posted a losing 1-4 ATS record over their last 5 games. The totals have gone OVER in 2 of those 5 matchups as well. For the season, they have seen fewer overs than unders, with totals going OVER just 13 times in 26 home dates at TD Garden. All signs point to an inflated point total that could lead to a play on the under. If the streaky Celtics have another cold shooting night, the under 225 looks very enticing. Their poor recent ATS run also suggests taking the points with the underdog could pay dividends.
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics 2/9/24 Betting Picks
Betting-wise, the Celtics are clear favorites against the Wizards due to their dominant home record and struggles on both ends of the floor. Though spread and total odds have yet to be established, handicappers should consider backing the Celtics to cover both and surpass the total points line total.
Prop bets pertaining to individual player performances could also offer great returns in this matchup. With Jayson Tatum leading the Celtics’ offense and Jordan Poole carrying most of the scoring load for the Wizards, prop bets on their points, rebounds, and assists totals could prove rewarding options.
Overall, although the Wizards may put up a fight, the Celtics’ superior talent and home court advantage make them the safer bet in NBA free pick and insights. Expect them to dominate proceedings and claim an easy victory on their home turf.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Celtics 120, Washington Wizards 105.