The heat of the preseason is still with viewers as Etihad Arena will be the venue for the upcoming fixture between the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics this coming Sunday. Having suffered a heartbreaking loss in their last outing, the Nuggets aim to hand their opponents their first defeat. This match is entertaining since both coaches have a competitive spirit as they prepare their teams for the new season. For most basketball fans looking for the best NBA free tips, this game has interesting dynamics especially regarding the history and betting lines of the teams.
Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics 10/6/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET |
| Where: | Etihad Arena |
| TV: | NBAt |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Denver Nuggets (0-1 Preseason) vs. Boston Celtics (1-0 Preseason)
Although they suffered a setback in their preseason opener, the Denver Nuggets come into this game with a strong track record, reminiscent of what one might expect from a team like the New York Knicks when they’re on form. Last season, the Nuggets averaged 114.9 points per game, supported by a solid field goal percentage of 49.6%. Their performance on the road has been noteworthy, maintaining a positive against the spread record, which suggests they’re equipped to handle the pressures of away games effectively.
Conversely, the Boston Celtics, mirroring the resilience often shown by teams like the Washington Wizards, kicked off their preseason with a win. Last year, they boasted an average of 120.6 points per game, underpinned by an exceptional 38.8% accuracy from the three-point line. However, their balanced road record last season (19-19 against the spread) hints at potential challenges in maintaining consistency away from home, which could influence today’s game dynamics.
Nikola Jokic (C) vs. Jayson Tatum (SF)
Nikola Jokic, the leader of the Nuggets team, remains one of the best players in the league. Last year, he had 26.4 points, veered off-roader 12.4 rebounds and 9 assists per game which speaks volume of his versatile game. Considering the statistics, he is one of the best forwards especially when playing in this game since he’s able to create plays even when he is active on the boards. All these passing skills and basketball IQ will be necessary to penetrate the Celtics’ defense.
Jayson Tatum’s impact on the field for the Celtics has not been less than that. Last season he posted a scoring average of 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds, proving that he is quite biased toward scoring as a small forward and strongly supports rebounding. His quickness and scoring, especially from long range, will challenge the bench’s perimeter defense for the Denver Nuggets. His physical head to head match-up with Jokic will be important as they are of great help to the offense of both teams.
When these key players face each other, that will become a chess game with all dobbing for the weaknesses of the opponent. When it comes to Jokic’s dominance inside Yao Ming’s presence as well as Tatum working outside the perimeter, it can be expected that two styles will emerge. Both players appear to be on the clutch and their plays on the court will probably mean the significance of the game.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Boston Celtics -3 (-110), Total Odds: 217.5
In the live betting, the Celtics are slight favorites due to the strong scoring and shooting efficiency they displayed in preseason action. This natural inclination towards betting under on total points may be ascribed to anticipated defense and tinkering with lineups during the preseason.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
The way the Nuggets have performed against the spread in their recent games, particularly while playing away from home, shows a lot of determination. The most interesting thing here is how they tend to go over the total in most of the games they play, a style that might work against the defense of the Celtics.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
The Celtics also have the tendency to rack up points, which increases the odds of them going over as well. However, their .500 away ATS record indicates probable weaknesses in such situations which a spirited Nuggets team will seek to exploit.
Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics 10/6/24 Betting Picks
Assessment of the trends and the overall team results leads to the conclusion that the Denver Nuggets’ performance will be better than what is expected out of the spread. Considering that the Nuggets have played well in their last few games, especially on offense, they should be able to give the Celtics a good fight and possibly cover the line.
Bettors seeking tips can place their bets on the Nuggets +3. In addition, prop bets on the number of rebounds and points scored by Nikola Jokic are another aspect deserving consideration, thanks to his prominent position in the team. As for the total line set at 217.5, it may be reasonable to go with the under, given the unpredictability of the pre-season games. Meanwhile, experts and users of the services who are searching for premium sports picks should consider what stat categories of key players who are possibly determinative for game results should be focused on.