Boston Celtics (49-14) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (18-45)
The 2023-24 NBA season continues Monday, March 11, with a loaded six-game slate, including this cross-conference showdown at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, so here’s the Celtics vs. Trail Blazers top pick.
This is the first meeting between these teams this season. The Celtics won both games last year.
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Celtics Silent Suns
The Boston Celtics (49-14, 31-29-3 ATS) beat the Phoenix Suns on Saturday 117-107. It was the third game of a five-game road trip that will see the team close out the trip in Utah on Tuesday. Boston is 20-11 on the road (13-15-3 ATS).
Boston took a nine-point lead into halftime. They shot 48.9% from the field and made just 10-13 from the free throw line. The Celtics made 15 of 39 three-point attempts (38.5%). This is not surprising since the Celtics are fourth in the NBA in three-pointers made (38.5%) and first in three-point attempts per game (42.2) and three-point attempts per game ( 16.2).
“We are not perfect. We try to be, we really try,” Jayson Tatum said. “But we make mistakes. It’s a tough league, the other teams are really good and have great players. It all depends on how you react.
This jam was the exclamation point of the evening, which makes it tonight’s jam. @JetBlue Game progress ???? pic.twitter.com/Kf3P5vpAFS
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 10, 2024
Tatum led the Celtics with a double-double, scoring 29 points and adding 10 rebounds. He also had seven assists. Tatum is having a monster season, averaging 26.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Jaylen Brown added 27 points.
The Celtics are 10th in field goal percentage (48.5%) and were excellent at the free throw line, ranking sixth overall (81.0%). They also play very well defensively, second in the NBA in success percentage on the opponent’s court (44.8%). Boston is second in free throws allowed per game (18.6).
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Trail Blazers Snap Skate
The Portland Trailblazers (18-45, 30-33-0 ATS) beat the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, 128-118. The overtime victory ended a three-game losing streak, but the team is still 3-12 in its last 15 games. The game against Boston will be the fourth of a six-game home series, with the Trail Blazers sitting at 10-22 at home (13-19-0 ATS).
Portland took a 17-point lead in the first quarter. However, Toronto rallied in the second half to force overtime. This is where the Trail Blazers scored 15 points to earn the OT victory. The club shot 47.6% and went 14-15 from the free throw line. A 52-43 advantage in rebounds was a big reason for the victory.
“I watched these guys play. We followed the trend, played good basketball and competed. Deandré Ayton said. “I was just making sure my wheels were working and I could keep up with my team.”
DOMINAYTON
▫️ 30PTS
▫️19 CER
▫️2 STLs pic.twitter.com/UE2ujzpEqa– Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 10, 2024
Ayton returned to the lineup after being injured, scoring 30 points and adding 19 rebounds. Ayton had not played since February 27. The 30 points and 19 rebounds were both season highs for the center.
Portland is one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA, ranked 29thth at 44.1%), but was solid from the free throw line, 10th overall (79.4%). Portland is 27 years oldth of the success percentage on the opponent’s field (49.4%).
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Best bets for this game
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It’s very likely that Boston wins this game, but many will wonder if 14 is a bit of a stretch. There’s no denying that they’ve dominated the Trail Blazers as of late, winning three of the last four games and winning each of those games by at least 14. Plus, Portland has been terrible lately.
However, in their last 15 losses, only three of them were by more than 13. That would make it look like Portland could keep this game close. However, Boston is too talented on both ends of the floor. They have dominated Portland in the past and will do so here as well. Boston is 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
Prediction: Take the Boston Celtics at -13.5 (-110)
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These teams have been overwhelmed in seven of the last ten meetings, including seven of the last eight. Portland has gone over in seven of its last 10 games, thanks in large part to opponents scoring at least 118 in four straight games.
If that were to happen here, all the Trail Blazers would have to do is score 101 points to force an end to this game. They’ve done it in each of their last six games, so this seems like a good bet.
Prediction: Exceed 218.5 5 (-110)
