Two of the NBA’s top teams collide this afternoon at Paycom Center when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Boston Celtics.
The Thunder come into the contest on a nine-game winning streak with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a scoring tear, but I’ll be looking for center Isaiah Hartenstein to snag a double-double in my Celtics vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, January 5.
Celtics vs Thunder prediction
My best bet
Isaiah Hartenstein to record a double-double (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the man of the hour for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and for good reason, as he’s led the team in scoring in eight of their last nine games during the club’s win streak.
One man that’s gone under the radar for OKC, though, is Isaiah Hartenstein. The center has been a double-double machine over the last few weeks with nine in his last 13 outings.
The 7-foot-center, who ranks tied for third among all players this season with 9.6 defensive rebounds per game, should cause terror on the glass against the Boston Celtics, who have been lackluster at rebounding in the New Year.
The C’s were outrebounded 41-31 by the Timberwolves in a narrow 118-115 win on Thursday, and Jayson Tatum, who leads the team with 9.4 boards per game, has seen that number fall to just 7.0 over his last two contests.
Hartenstein has also scored at least 10 points in 12 of his last 13 games while shooting an insane 95.3% on his 2-point attempts.
Celtics vs Thunder same-game parlay
Isaiah Hartenstein to record a double-double
Over 217.5
Thunder -1.5
Since returning from injury in late November, Hartenstein has helped the Thunder go 18-1, and I don’t see them slowing down this afternoon against the Celtics.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the hottest scorer in the NBA right now, with 33 points per game since the start of December, but it’s not like he’s done it alone. The Thunder also own the NBA’s best defense, allowing a stingy 103.3 points per game, and it won’t help the C’s that Jaylen Brown (shoulder) is also questionable for today’s matchup.
These clubs both rank in the Top 10 in points per game this season so even accounting for their strong defenses, I think we should see them top 217.5 points.
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Celtics vs Thunder odds
Celtics vs Thunder live odds
Celtics vs Thunder opening odds
- Spread: Boston +2 | Oklahoma City -2
- Moneyline: Boston +110 | Oklahoma City -130
- Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Celtics vs Thunder spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Thunder opened as a slight 2-point favorite, with that number varying from 1.5 to 2.5 ahead of tipoff. OKC is 7-1-1 ATS during its nine-game win streak, while Boston is just 4-5-1 ATS over its last 10 games while going 6-4 overall.
- OKC has also covered the spread in five straight home games and is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
- The total opened at 222.5 points, with the Over going 4-2 in the Celtics’ last six and 7-0 in the last seven meetings.
Celtics vs Thunder trend
The Thunder have covered the spread in 32 of their last 49 games (+15.50 units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Thunder.
How to watch Celtics vs Thunder
| Location: | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Date: | Sunday, 1-5-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCSB, FDSN OK, NBAC |
Celtics vs Thunder latest injuries
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