Celtics vs Nuggets prediction, odds preview: March 7

The Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets are two of the NBA’s elite teams, and they’re set to face each other tonight in what could be a potential NBA Finals preview matchup.

The Celtics are currently the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and have played some of their best basketball lately having won 11 of their last 12 games, and they’re a slight favorite against the defending champion Nuggets.

The Nuggets have also been playing well having won six of their last seven games, but they’re a slight underdog tonight despite being at home, as the Celtics have the best record in the NBA.

Both the Celtics and Nuggets are coming off close losses, but it’s clear that both teams have their eyes on the NBA Finals with star players Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum.

Jokic is on his way to winning his third NBA MVP, and while the Nuggets are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, they’re still favored to reach the Finals out of the West.

The Celtics are 0.5-point road favorites in what’s shaping up as one of the most competitive NBA regular season matchups, with the over/under set at 221 points.

Let’s take a closer look at the odds and trends via DraftKings Sportsbook to come up with a final score pick and a best bet for tonight:

Boston Celtics at Denver Nuggets

Time/TV: 9 p.m. CT (TNT)

Spread: Celtics (-0.5 (-108)) at Nuggets (+0.5, (+112))

Total: 221, O (-102), U (-118)

Moneyline: Celtics -110, Nuggets -110

Analysis: The Celtics appear to have the edge on paper, but they’re having to travel to one the NBA’s most hostile environments for opposing teams and could be without a key piece.

Celtics No. 2 scorer Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable, and while he’s expected to play, the Nuggets are fully healthy and have continued their home dominance this season as evidenced by their 24-6 record at Ball Arena.

The Celtics can perform well on the road, but I feel like there’s value on the Nuggets in this spot considering that they’ve got more to play for seeding-wise with the Celtics having all but locked up the East’s No. 1 seed.

Prediction: Nuggets 110, Celtics 107 (Under 221)