Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Betting Pick & Prediction 3/2/25
Today at 1:00 ET, the 2nd place Celtics (42-18) will host the 2nd place Nuggets (39-21) in a non-conference matchup. Boston is currently favored by 3.5 points and will look to snap a two-game losing streak.
This game will be played at TD Garden in Boston and can be seen on ABC. The over/under line for this game is currently set at 235 points.
DENVER NUGGETS VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Boston Celtics -3.5
This game will be played at TD Garden at 1:00 ET on Sunday, March 2nd.
WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 136-123 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 47.1% and knocking down 20 threes.
Will the Nuggets Come Through as Road Underdogs?
Denver improved to 39-21 with a 134-119 win over the Pistons on Friday. The Nuggets, who were +2 point underdogs, covered the spread with the win. The total points for the game were 253, exceeding the O/U line of 239.5 by 13.5 points.
Denver went on an 18-0 run early, stretching the score from 9-8 to 27-8. After a close 2nd quarter, the Nuggets pulled away by outscoring Detroit 39-24 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th with a 107-87 lead, and despite being outscored 32-27 in the final quarter, they held on for the win.
The Nuggets shot 56% from the field and knocked down 17 threes at a 54.8% clip in their win over the Pistons. Jamal Murray led the way with 31 points, hitting 5 threes, while Michael Porter Jr. added 28 points, making 6 threes at 85.7% efficiency.
Nikola Jokić contributed 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists, and Christian Braun also scored 23 points. Murray scored 15 points in the 3rd quarter, while Braun added 10 points in the opening period.
Defensively, the Nuggets gave up 119 points to the Pistons, who shot 45% from the field. Denver allowed 31 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in both the 2nd and 4th, but they tightened up in the 3rd, giving up just 24 points.
From beyond the arc, the Nuggets held the Pistons to 32% shooting, with Detroit hitting 12 threes. Denver also sent the Pistons to the line 23 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Nuggets recorded 5 steals and 8 blocks in the game.
Will Boston Live Up to Expectations at Home?
The Celtics dropped to 42-18 on the season after a 123-116 home loss to the Cavaliers on Friday. Boston, favored by 1 point, failed to cover the spread, and the game’s total of 239 points went over the pre-game line of 233.5.
Boston started strong with an 11-0 run and led 38-26 after the 1st quarter. However, Cleveland outscored them in each of the final three quarters, including a decisive 28-18 advantage in the 4th.
Jayson Tatum’s 46-point, 16-rebound performance stood out in the Celtics’ 123-116 loss to the Cavaliers, as he shot 51.4% from the field and added 9 assists. Jaylen Brown contributed 37 points, hitting 4 threes at a 66.7% rate, while Derrick White also made 4 threes, finishing with 16 points.
Boston connected on 17 threes, shooting 43.6% from beyond the arc and 48.3% overall. Tatum scored 18 points in the 1st quarter, adding 12 more in the 2nd, while Brown added 10 points in the final period.
The Celtics struggled defensively against the Cavaliers, giving up 123 points on 47% shooting. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 38 points. Boston also had trouble containing Cleveland from beyond the arc, as the Cavaliers hit 17 threes at a 43% clip.
Boston sent Cleveland to the line 19 times, where they converted 16 free throws. The Celtics finished with 26 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards. They also recorded 5 steals and 5 blocks in the game.