The Boston Celtics didn’t start off 2023 like they would’ve liked, but an easy chance at redemption offers itself for their second game of a year-opening road trip when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Cs at the Paycom Center on Tuesday, January 3.
Boston is coming off a loss to the Denver Nuggets in which Nikola Jokic went for a 30/12/12 triple-double and Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown, and Michael Porter Jr. combined for 58 points to down the Celtics 123-111. In the Mile High City, the Cs shot 27% from the 3-point line but allowed Denver to eclipse 56% shooting themselves. That ultimately led to their undoing considering they still won the turnover/rebound battles and had 14 more points scored in the paint.
The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off two straight losses to finish a rough 2022 for their franchise — a year that hit its low-point when it was announced Chet Holmgren would miss his entire rookie season. OKC has won one of its last four games and owns the sixth-worst record in the entire NBA.
With that said, they do feature two of the most intriguing young talents in the game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the No. 5 scorer in the Association just behind Jayson Tatum, while Josh Giddey is averaging a stat line in 2022-23 that is not too far off from Deron Williams’ career averages. With a young core around them, the Thunder are a threat to anyone on a good night.
Will such a good night come against a Celtics team that is experiencing road woes this season? Or will Boston handle their business in the Sooner State? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for Tuesday night between the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder on NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Southwest, and NBA League Pass (all odds provided by WynnBET):
Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are an 8.5-point favorite against the Thunder on the road. OKC is a home underdog at +300, with the Cs moneyline set at -380. The over/under for the game has been placed at 233.5 points.
Celtics vs. Thunder prediction
The last time these two teams played, they soared past the points total with ease. Given OKC’s recent sub-100 point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers, and the potential absence of Robert Williams — currently listed as questionable for Tuesday night — the over is the Houdini’s lean once again, even with a high total.
Pick: 233.5o (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.