It would not be fair to accuse the Boston Celtics of cruising through the regular season of their championship defense. They are on pace to win 57 games. By nearly any metric, that is plenty of quality.
Furthermore, Boston’s defensive rating is actually more than a point better per 100 possessions this season. Tonight, it goes against an even better defense in the Los Angeles Clippers.
My Celtics vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks will place trust in both defenses. Tip comes at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 22.
Celtics vs Clippers prediction
My best bet
Under 219 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
It is rather under the radar that the Boston Celtics' defense is better, statistically speaking, than it was last year. The Celtics had a 110.6 defensive rating last regular season, one bettered at 109.3 this season and 108.9 in the last month.
That falls under the radar in part because Boston was still excellent on defense last season, and in part because the Celtics’ offense has fallen off by a greater step at the same time. Last season, Boston’s offensive rating was 122.2. This year, it is just 119.1, and in the last month, it has been 118.1.
If there is anything to worry about with the Celtics, it is that their offense has slipped by two buckets compared to their dominant run last year.
Recognizing that emphasizes this bet on the Under 219. Both aspects of Boston suggest taking Unders, and that has been profitable all season, with 24 of 43 Celtics’ games going Under their totals. Eight of Boston’s last 11 games have also fallen short of their totals.
And all of this should be amplified against a shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers team.
They have the No. 2 defensive rating in the NBA both in the last month and this season, trailing only the Thunder in each stretch. Tyronn Lue should be credited for navigating Kawhi Leonard’s extended absence and keeping Los Angeles in the top six of the Western Conference.
Leonard will be sidelined again tonight (right knee injury management), and so will Kris Dunn. Missing Dunn may not stand out to a casual observer, but he has been the regular fifth starter when Leonard sits this season.
Suddenly, Los Angeles has even fewer quality players in their rotation. They are also without Ivica Zubac (left eye corneal abrasion).
With so few Clippers on hand, the Celtics’ improved defense should push this game well below its total.
Celtics vs Clippers same-game parlay
Under 219
Celtics 1H -7
Kristaps Porzingis Under 17.5 points
Taking the Celtics to cover only the first-half spread is an attempt at avoiding garbage-time nonsense. This game should be in the double digits for most of the fourth quarter. Predicting exactly how the final few possessions will go is an unnecessary risk for a 12-point spread.
Adding Kristaps Porzingis to fall short of his points prop is a further thought that this game will not need the best out of Boston. The Celtics are still cautious with Prozingis’s minutes, and a blowout will give them a chance to lean into that hesitation.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Celtics vs Clippers odds
Celtics vs Clippers live odds
Celtics vs Clippers opening odds
- Spread: Boston -6 | Los Angeles +6
- Moneyline: Boston -245 | Los Angeles +200
- Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220
Odds courtesy of bet365
Celtics vs Clippers spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with the Celtics favored by just six points on Tuesday evening, but then Leonard was officially ruled out, jumping this spread to -9.
- As more and more Clippers (Dunn, Zubac) were scratched, the spread climbed to -10 in the overnight and then -12 on Wednesday afternoon.
- The total opened at 220 and plummeted to 216.5 when Leonard was ruled out, but it then crept back upward overnight and into Wednesday, reaching 219 in the early afternoon.
Celtics vs Clippers trend
Not only have eight of Boston’s last 11 games all gone Under their totals, but 11 of Los Angeles’s last 15 games have also gone Under their totals. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Clippers.
How to watch Celtics vs Clippers
| Location | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California |
| Date | Wednesday, 1-22-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSB, FDSN SC, TSN |
Celtics vs Clippers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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