Boston Celtics (48-12) vs. Denver Nuggets (42-19)
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets 3/7/24 – The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are set to clash in a potential NBA Finals preview on Thursday night. Both teams are riding long winning streaks and solidifying themselves as top title contenders heading into the stretch run of the regular season. This marquee matchup is a must-watch for basketball fans and top exclusive handicappers alike.
The Celtics have been an offensive juggernaut this season, averaging a blistering 121.3 points per game which ranks 2nd in the NBA. Their balanced attack features an elite 48.7% field goal percentage along with a respectable 38.6% mark from three-point range. Boston doesn’t rely too heavily on the charity stripe but still converts at an excellent 81.2% clip from the free throw line. The Celtics crash the glass with authority, grabbing 47.1 rebounds per contest. Their defense is equally stingy, allowing just 110.2 points a night which is 4th-best in the league.
While the Nuggets can’t quite match Boston’s prolific scoring output, they still manage a robust 114.5 points per game which places them 7th in the NBA. Denver’s calling card is their incredible shooting efficiency, sporting a league-best 49.3% field goal percentage. They’ve surprisingly struggled from deep at just 36.8% but make up for it by getting to the line frequently and converting 75.9% of their freebies. The Nuggets gobble up 44.4 rebounds nightly and spread the wealth with a passing exhibition that generates 29.1 assists per contest, 2nd-most in the Association.
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets 3/7/24 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Ball Arena |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Jayson Tatum (SF) vs. Nikola Jokic (C)
Jayson Tatum has elevated himself into the conversation for best player in the NBA this season. The 26-year-old forward is posting career-highs across the board with 27.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per contest. His advanced metrics are equally stellar, sporting a 25.6 PER and 6.4 Win Shares. Tatum’s deadly three-level scoring ability and improved playmaking have made him a legitimate MVP candidate.
On the other side, Nikola Jokic has remarkably taken his all-around brilliance to new heights. The Serbian center is averaging 25.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. His averages for points, rebounds and assists would all represent new career-highs. Jokic’s unique blend of size, skill, basketball IQ and unselfishness make him a nightmare matchup every single night.
This star-studded individual battle has a real chance to steal the show. Tatum’s combination of length and athleticism could make things difficult for the ground-bound Jokic at times. However, the versatile big man’s elite vision and passing prowess could pick apart Boston’s swarming defensive coverages. Containing Jokic on the low block while not allowing him to facilitate will be the key for the Celtics.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this matchup remain TBD, underscoring the anticipation and unpredictability surrounding this high-stakes game. As handicappers dive into the data, the close records and recent performances of both teams suggest that the odds could be tight, with a slight edge possibly given to the home team, the Denver Nuggets, due to their solid home record.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
TThe Celtics have been an absolute cash cow for bettors of late. Their 5-0 ATS run in their last 5 games speaks to just how consistently dominant they’ve been during this lengthy winning streak. Boston has ripped off double-digit victories in 4 of those 5 recent outings. While their 12-13 road ATS mark is more modest, they’ve been undervalued frequently away from TD Garden. The Over has also been profitable when Boston’s explosive offense visits opposing arenas.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
Denver has been a highly profitable 4-1 ATS over their last 5 contests. However, they’ve struggled to cover at home all season with a middling 13-18 ATS mark. Like Boston, Unders have cashed at about a 60% rate for the Nuggets as of late. But games have tended to go Over the total more frequently when Denver is the host.
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets 3/7/24 Betting Picks
This figures to be an intense, playoff-caliber battle between two of the NBA’s heavyweights. While the Celtics have been the superior team for the bulk of the season, the Nuggets have hit another gear and will be extremely formidable on their home floor.
Containing Jokic’s all-around dominance will obviously be priority number one for Boston’s defense. They’ll likely throw a steady stream of switches, double-teams and unorthodox coverages at the MVP front-runner. On the other end, Denver’s best chance is to leverage their home crowd energy for a blistering shooting performance from deep. If the Nuggets can stay hot from beyond the arc, they’ll be very difficult to put away.
Ultimately, this has all the makings of a nail-biting thriller that goes down to the wire. As such, taking the generous point spread could make sense. These basketball tips today suggest potentially buying the point hook and taking the Celtics.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Celtics 118, Denver Nuggets 114.