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Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves prediction, odds, TV channel for December 23

By Andrew Hughes

The Boston Celtics take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 23 at the T.D. Garden in the teams' first of two matchups this season Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 23 at the T.D. Garden in the teams' first of two matchups this season Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Another loss for the Boston Celtics would put the team on high alert heading into the Christmas holiday, considering their recent losses to the Orlando Magic (twice) and the Indiana Pacers on their current three-game losing streak — the first of its kind during the 2022-23 season.

Even with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined for four-to-six weeks with a calf strain, the Celtics are no shoo-in to knock off the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, December 23 on their T.D. Garden home-floor.

Minnesota enters this game having won three of their last four, though they did drop their most recent contest to the Dallas Mavericks. Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell — and to a lesser extent Austin Rivers — have been carrying the torch offensively without Towns.

As for Boston’s struggles, well, they’re team-wide. Shots aren’t falling, the defense isn’t clamping down as it once did during the latter half of the 2021-22 season, and All-Star efforts from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are falling by the wayside.

With Marcus Smart once again questionable due to an illness, the Cs will be in a precarious position to knock off the Wolves if their supporting cast isn’t up to snuff. Derrick Whites’ struggles have been most prominent, which is an issue if Smart isn’t healthy.

Can Boston fend off Minnesota ahead of a critical Christmas day showdown with the new leaders in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks? Or will the Timberwolves continue the C’s losing streak and run it to four? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves on NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports North, and NBA League Pass (all odds provided by WynnBET):

Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves odds, spread

The Celtics are 9-point favorites against the Wolves at home. Boston’s odds are -235 to win outright, with the Minnesota moneyline set at +190. The over/under for the game has been placed at 230 points.

Celtics vs. Timberwolves prediction

The Houdini expects fireworks Friday night between these two teams with a pair of high-scoring duos leading the way for each side.

Lean over on the points total.

Pick: 230o (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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