NBA picks: Celtics vs. Warriors prediction, odds, over/under, spread, injury report for Tuesday, Dec. 19
Porzingis has been ruled out for this game, but that hasn’t impacted the lines much. The Celtics are now 5-point favorites and the total sits at 234.5. I’m still going Warriors +5 and the under on the total.
We’ve got a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals on tap Tuesday evening when the Boston Celtics (20-5) make a trip out West to face the Golden State Warriors (12-14). The Celtics have won five in a row and sit at the top of the Eastern Conference, while the Warriors attempt to round into form despite some internal struggles. Golden State has won the last two contests.
The Celtics are on the first night of a back-to-back set, so Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable due to injury management. He’ll likely sit either Tuesday or Wednesday. The Warriors are without Draymond Green indefinitely, while Gary Payton II also remains sidelined. Chris Paul is questionable with an illness.
The Celtics are 5.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 233. Boston is -225 on the moneyline, while Golden State is +185.
Celtics vs. Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Warriors +5.5
Boston has racked up a lot of wins, but most of the damage is done at home. The Celtics are just 12-11-2 ATS overall, and that number is 2-7-2 ATS as the road team. They are 6-5 straight up. The Warriors have not been their usual selves at home with a 6-6 mark, but this is the type of game they tend to show up in. Golden State has won its last five home games, so maybe that feeling is coming back. I like the 2022 champs to flex their might in this one and cover, if not win outright.
Over/Under: Under 233
The Celtics average 122.7 points per game at home. That number drops substantially to 111.2 points per game on the road. The Warriors have been a league-average defensive side regardless of location, and Green’s absence won’t help them. Golden State is actually slightly better offensively on the road. The Warriors have gone over their totals in four of the last five games, but that’s mostly been away from the Bay Area.
The last time these teams met in San Francisco, the Warriors won 123-107. The teams are different and there’s some players who are out for Golden State, but I like the under to hit on this total.
