The Portland Trail Blazers will play the Boston Celtics in an inter-conference matchup on Friday night. It's time continue our NBA odds series with a Blazers-Celtics prediction and pick.
The Blazers and Celtics will meet on Friday as two teams that probably thought their seasons would be going better right about now. Boston is sitting as the No. 9 seed in the East entering play, just barely inside the top-10 in the East. The Blazers have had an injury plagued season as Damian Lillard remains out with an abdominal injury. Portland sits as the No. 10 seed in the West, for now. The Celtics come into this one as home favorites over the shorthanded Blazers, to little surprise. The Celtics are the healthier, better team here, and they're at home on Friday.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Blazers-Celtics odds for this Friday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Blazers-Celtics Odds
Portland Trail Blazers +8.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics -8.5 (-110)
Over 212 (-110)
Under 212 (-110)
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Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread
The Blazers will face an uphill battle at a win in this one as they are extremely shorthanded. In addition to the absence of Lillard, Larry Nance Jr. and Norm Powell will also miss this one. Portland is fighting to hang on to the final play-in spot in the West as we enter the second half of the season. It will be tough for them to do that, and it will be tough for them to win on Friday as Lillard continues his extended absence. Anfernee Simons and CJ McCollum will look to carry the scoring load in this one for the Trail Blazers.
Portland vs. the spread
The Blazers are 17-27 vs. the spread this season, and 5-5 in their last ten games. Portland is 5-14 vs. the spread as an underdog this season, and 3-9 as the away dog.
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
The Celtics should be in a good spot here as they are much healthier than the Blazers coming into this one. Boston will have Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and most of their regulars ready to go, if not all. That depends on Marcus Smart, who is questionable for Friday's game. The Celtics should be able to take advantage of the undermanned Blazers on their home floor with a comfortable win in this one.
Boston vs. the spread
The Celtics are 21-23-2 vs. the spread this season, and 3-7 ATS in their last ten games. Boston is 10-13-1 against the spread at home, and 8-13 vs. the line as the home favorite. This could be a spot for the Celtics to improve on all of these numbers.
Final Blazers-Celtics Prediction and Pick:
Take the Celtics to win and cover here over the Blazers. Portland is really banged up, and will be relying on CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic quite a bit. If the Celtics are able to get either of those guys in foul trouble, this could be a long night for the Blazers.
Final Blazers-Celtics Prediction & Pick: Celtics -8.5 (-110)
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