Boston Celtics vs Utah Jazz Betting Pick & Prediction 3/21/25
Tip-off for this non-conference matchup between the Celtics and Jazz is set for 9:30 ET. The Celtics (-796) are favored by 13 points over the Jazz (+549). The over/under line is currently at 227.5 points.
Boston has won three straight games and is currently 50-19 on the season. Utah is just 16-54 and is 15th in the Western Conference. The game will be played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City and can be seen on NBCS.
BOSTON CELTICS VS UTAH JAZZ BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Jazz +13
This game will be played at Delta Center at 9:30 ET on Friday, March 21st.
WHY BET THE UTAH JAZZ:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 116-113 in favor of the Celtics.
- Our projections have Jayson Tatum finishing with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
- From the field, we have the Celtics finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.1% and knocking down 19 threes.
Will the Celtics Live Up to Expectations on the Road?
Boston improved to 50-19 on the season with a 104-96 win over the Nets on Tuesday. Playing at home, the Celtics were -13.5 point favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points fell short of the O/U line of 212, with the teams combining for 200 points.
The Celtics trailed 26-21 after the 1st quarter and were even with the Nets in the 2nd, both scoring 23 points. They took control in the 2nd half, outscoring Brooklyn 27-21 in the 3rd and 33-26 in the 4th, pulling away after entering the final quarter with a slim 71-70 lead.
In their win over the Nets, the Celtics shot 44.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range, making 16 threes. Kristaps Porzingis led the way with 25 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 69.2% from the floor.
Baylor Scheierman added 20 points, hitting 6 threes at an 85.7% clip. Derrick White contributed 18 points, with 13 coming in the 3rd quarter. Scheierman scored 12 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter.
The Celtics put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Nets to just 96 points on Tuesday. Boston gave up 26 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters but tightened up in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing just 23 and 21 points, respectively.
Boston limited Brooklyn to 40% shooting from the field and just 28% from beyond the arc, where the Nets made 13 threes. The Celtics also sent the Nets to the line 17 times, where they converted 11 free throws. Boston finished with 42 defensive rebounds, allowing 8 offensive boards, while adding 6 steals and 5 blocks.
Is an Upset Waiting to Happen at Home?
With a 128-112 win over the Wizards on Wednesday, the Jazz improved to 16-54 this season. Utah was favored by 2.5 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 240 points went over the pre-game line of 234.
Utah’s 10-0 run turned the game early, and they took control by outscoring Washington 33-28 in the 2nd quarter. The Jazz extended their lead with a 33-25 3rd quarter and finished strong, holding the Wizards to 24 points in the 4th while scoring 31.
The Jazz shot 56.2% from the field and hit 17 threes at a 40.5% rate in their win over the Wizards. Kyle Filipowski led the way with 21 points, knocking down 4 threes at 66.7% efficiency.
Keyonte George added 20 points, including 7 in the 4th quarter, while Collin Sexton contributed 18 points, 11 of which came in the opening period.
Despite a rough start, giving up 35 points in the 1st quarter, the Jazz tightened up their defense as the game went on, allowing just 24 points in the 4th quarter to secure the win. They sent the Wizards to the free-throw line 18 times, where Washington converted 14 of their attempts.
Utah did a great job defending the perimeter, holding the Wizards to just 12 made threes on 26% shooting. The Jazz also recorded 7 steals and 1 block while allowing 13 offensive rebounds.