Celtics vs. Nuggets NBA expert prediction and odds for Thursday, March 7 (Can Denver

Does the NBA get any better than a Boston Celtics-Denver Nuggets matchup on Thursday night? 

These two teams may be on a collision course to meet in the NBA Finals in the 2023-24 season, but this is the final regular season matchup between the two. Denver could pull the season sweep on Boston, as it handed the Celtics their first home loss earlier this season at TD Garden. 

Denver has been favored in every home game this season, and the team is 24-6 straight up at Ball Arena despite losing on Tuesday to the Phoenix Suns. Boston is also coming off a loss, blowing a double-digit lead against an undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers team on Tuesday. 

Which team will bounce back with a win tonight? 

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Let’s break down the latest odds, key players to watch and my best bet for this showdown on TNT:

Celtics injury report

Nuggets injury report

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum: Tatum was called for an offensive foul on the final play in the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he struggled in the second half of that game, scoring just four points. An MVP candidate this season, Tatum has a chance to make a statement against MVP favorite Nikola Jokic. The Celtics forward had 22 points on 9-of-24 shooting against Denver in Boston earlier this season. 

Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic: Since the All-Star break, Jokic has been on fire, putting up 24.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game while shooting 59.3 percent from the field. He dominated Boston earlier this season, scoring 34 points (on 14-of-22 shooting) while adding 12 rebounds and nine assists.  

As good as the Celtics have been this season, I have to bet on Denver to win this game at home. 

The Nuggets are 24-6 at Ball Arena for a reason, and they get off to great starts at home, ranking No. 1 in the league in first-quarter net rating when there. 

Meanwhile, Boston is 19-10 on the road this season, and the team has gone just 1-1 against the spread when set as a road underdog. 

I’m worried about the Celtics in this game after a heartbreaking loss on Tuesday, especially since Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis have been banged up. 

Denver owned Boston in Boston earlier this season, and the team is winning games at home by an average margin of 9.2 points per game. 

Even though the Celtics are the best team in the league right now, I think the defending champs show why they won a title last season in this one. 

Pick: Nuggets ML (-112)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.