Tonight, we have a potential Finals preview as two red hot elite teams meet in Boston as Celtics host the champions GS Warriors!
Boston Celtics
It looks like Boston have finally figured it out when it comes to chemistry issues etc. Since their 10-10 start they’re 20-8 and are currently enjoying probably their hottest stretch having won 5 games in a row, also 10 straight games won at Home and that’s because the whole team is clicking on offense and on defense. Boston have normally been stepping up to big games too this year, they’ve beaten Toronto, Philadelphia twice each, Milwaukee, Indiana etc so tonight we can definitely anticipate them to be on their game. In their last game against Cleveland, Irving and Horford sat out but are both expected to return tonight. Kyrie normally has HUGE games against Golden State historically, most recently had 37 against them last season on a Saturday Primetime game.
Injury News:
Kyrie Irving – Probable to Play
Al Horford – Good to Go
Golden State Warriors
Well, life with Boogie has elevated the Warriors even more it seems. Since Cousins came back they’re 3-0 and Boogie has been balling putting 17/6/3, 8/8/5 and 17/6/3 in his 3 games back. Warriors in general right now are probably the hottest team in the NBA, they’ve won 9 in a row, they’re won 11 of their last 12 road games and coming into tonight’s we can only expect to see the best of Golden State with Curry, KD, Klay, Draymond, Boogie all playing at a very high level. Warriors have recently went to Denver and beat them down by 31 making a statement. Tonight is another opportunity at a statement win and we can definitely expect Warriors to turn up and play at their very very best! Injury wise only Jerebko and Jones are out which aren’t big losses really. Everyone else is healthy
Injury News:
Jonas Jerebko – OUT
Damian Jones – OUT
Betting Stats
Totals:
Boston have the 3rd highest percentage of total point overs covered at Home this season at 62.5%. Boston have especially been covering overs recently covering 8 of the last 11 and 4 of the past 5. The total tonight is 231 pts and that is by far the largest point total given in a Celtics game this season with the previous high being 224.5 against Milwaukee which was an Over as the game ended 107-120.
Warriors are 2nd in the NBA at total points covered on the Road at 66.66% (16-8) this season. The closest that GS have been to a 231 pre-game total this season on the road was when it was 229.5 against Denver early in the season which ended with an under as the game ended 100-98. Warriors are 5-1 at covering total overs when it’s given in 230s. Warriors have also been on fire covering overs recently covering 6 of their last 7.
Handicaps
Boston are one of the best NBA Home teams at covering Handicaps due to their dominant play at Home. They have covered 66.66% of their Handicaps at home (16-1-7) and have covered 8 of their last 10 which just proves how dominant their recent home stretch has been. Tonight, Celtics are actually 3.5 point underdog which is the largest underdog that they’ve been all season. The only other time that Boston were underdogs of a game was against the Bucks when they were a 1 point underdog and they did get beat big during that match up 107-120.
Warriors have actually not been very good at covering Handicaps on the Road as just 45.83% (11-13) but that is mainly due to the stretch when Steph Curry missed games and GS couldn’t win on the Road. Warriors have covered 3 of their last 4 Road handicaps. Warriors have been 3.5 point favourites ONCE this season and that was against the Clippers which they failed to cover losing the game 121-116.
Recent H2H in Boston
Warriors have been able to win in Boston quite regularly winning 4 of their last 5 here, however Boston did win the most recent match up against GS at Home winning 92-88 and in that game they erased a 17 point deficit to do so.
In that last matchup in Boston the total 218.5 points resulted in an under by a large margin and Boston covered a +7 Handicap quite comfortably in the end.
Match Start – 27th January 2019 – 1:30am UK Time
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