NBA picks: Celtics vs. Kings prediction, odds, over/under, spread, injury report for Wednesday, Dec. 20

Tatum has been ruled out for this game, and it’s likely worth flipping the ATS pick based on that. The Kings are now 3-point favorites and the total has moved to 236.5. I’ll take Sacramento now as the ATS pick and the under on the total, largely because I don’t think Boston can keep pace with the Kings with Tatum out. Horford is also officially out.

The Boston Celtics (20-6) will complete a back-to-back set Wednesday evening when they meet the Sacramento Kings (16-9) in the second game of NBATV’s doubleheader. The Celtics are coming off an overtime loss to the Warriors Tuesday, while the Kings are on a three-game winning streak. This is the first meeting between these squads this season.

Kristaps Porzingis should be in for Boston after sitting Tuesday’s game for injury management. Jayson Tatum played through an ankle injury in the loss to Golden State, so his status is a bit up in the air. Al Horford likely rests on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings are clean on the injury front.

The Kings are 2.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total coming in at 237.5. Sacramento is -135 on the moneyline while Boston is +114.

Celtics vs. Kings, 10 p.m. ET

Pick ATS: Celtics +2.5

Even though the Celtics are home juggernauts and coming off an overtime game Tuesday, I like them to keep this close as long as everyone who is expected to play does. Boston is 2-1 ATS with no rest this season, and has the same ATS mark with a rest disadvantage. The Kings are 6-1 ATS with a rest advantage, which is the best mark in the league so far. Despite Sacramento’s stellar record, winning run and rest advantage, I think the Celtics bounce back in this spot. Take them to cover as underdogs tonight.

Over/Under: Under 237.5

Boston is 13-13 to the over this season and 6-6 on overs in road games. The Kings are 10-3 on overs at home this season despite a 14-11 trend on overs as a whole, a sign Sacramento’s offense can still get it going in a friendly environment. The Kings have racked up an average of 132 points per game over the last three, but two of those contests were against the Jazz and Wizards. The Celtics pose a much stiffer defensive challenge, even on the second night of a back-to-back set. I like the under on this number in this spot.