The Boston Celtics (51-19) will visit the Portland Trail Blazers (32-39) in the NBA this evening. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Celtics are 7.5-point road favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Celtics -7.5), with the over/under set at 218.5 total points. Boston is a -300 favorite to win outright, while Portland is +240 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Celtics vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 23.
Celtics vs Trail Blazers Prediction
Celtics -7.5 is the spread for this matchup, and we have injury questions. Jaylen Brown is out, and Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday are all questionable.
I'd like some injury clarity here, but it's worth noting that Boston, who started the year as a great against-the-spread road favorite (covering in five of eight), is 15-15-1 as a road favorite ATS, and they've only covered in two of their last five.
The total is 218.5. Portland has tallied four straight unders, and Boston has gone under in five of its last seven. But I have this projected too close to the number to comfortably pick a direction. Plus, I'd rather take my chances with a prop, which is generally my preference anyhow.
My Pick: Deni Avdija Over 19.5 Points
Celtics vs Trail Blazers Odds, Spread, Picks
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 218.5 -110o / -110u | -300 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 218.5 -110o / -110u | +240 |
- Celtics vs. Trail Blazers spread: Celtics -7.5
- Celtics vs. Trail Blazers over/under: 218.5 total points
- Celtics vs. Trail Blazers moneyline: Celtics -300, Trail Blazers +240
- Celtics vs. Trail Blazers best bet: Deni Avdija Over 19.5 Points (-115)
My Trail Blazers vs. Celtics best bet is on Deni Avdija to score 20+ points, with the best line currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Preview
The Trail Blazers have also been really good lately, winning four straight and covering as a home underdog in three straight contests.
We're not expecting to have Robert Williams, DeAndre Ayton or Jerami Grant. Anfernee Simons, Donovan Clingan and Jabari Walker are all questionable. However, Deni Avdija has been on a tear if you haven't noticed. The combo wing is priced at -118 to go over 19.5 points on FanDuel, but you should bet on him to score 20+ points at -115 at Fanatics instead.
Jerami Grant is listed as doubtful, among other key injuries for Portland.
Deni has tallied 20 or more points in four of his last six games and way over in all four, scoring 30+ three times and no lower than 27. One of his misses, 19 points, came on just eight shot attempts, which isn't representative of his night-to-night shooting output as of late.
Avdija has taken 15 or more shots in four of his last six outings — the four he's gone over — and never needed 20 shots to get 20 points during this stretch. He has averaged 19.5 points in 34 games without Grant this season, and around 19 points per game in the absence of both Grant and Deandre Ayton.
Celtics vs Trail Blazers Betting Prediction
- Deni Avdija Over 19.5 Points (-115)
Trail Blazers vs. Celtics Betting Trends
