The Boston Celtics visit the Washington Wizards for basketball gambling game 3 of their second round playoff series, which the Celtics lead 2-0. Once again the Wizards came out swinging in game 2 on Tuesday, scoring 42 points in the first quarter and opening with a 13-point lead. However, Boston cut the deficit in the second and went ahead with little over a minute to go in the first half. The Celtics wound up winning 129-119 in overtime. Despite the high scoreboard, it resembled a hockey game at times, with lots of physical contact and even blood.
Time: 8:05 PM
Venue: Verizon Center
Sportsbook NBA online betting odds:
Celtics +5½ (-110) 218½ (-110) +205
Wizards -5½ (-110) 218½ (-110) -245
Boston
Key players: Isaiah Thomas got the chair. No, not that one. The dentist chair. For 4-5 hours. And then he underwent six-hour oral surgery. Comprehensibly, he could barely speak. So he let his actions do the talking. And it was a very verbose performance. Thomas finished with 53 points, the most in a postseason game since Allen Iverson dropped 55 in 2003. Al Horford added 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Recent form: The Celtics extended their winning streak to six consecutive games and have been almost as good on the road, going 5-1 in the last six – but they have lost five of their last seven visits to Washington.
NBA online betting odds trends: Similarly, Boston has been so-so covering in Washington, going 1-3-1 against the spread in the last five road games against the Wizards – though they are 5-0 ATS in the last five overall games, and 5-1 ATS in the last six on the road. The basketball gambling total has gone over in four of the Celtics’ last five meetings with the Wizards.
Washington
Key players: It’s a testament to Thomas’s performance that John Wall had 40 points and still fell short by 13 in the point guard duel. Wall had 19 in the first quarter to match a career postseason-best. In stark contrast, he went scoreless in OT and missed what could have been the game-winning shot at the end of regulation. Additionally, he seemed fatigued late in the game. Could it be that Wall hit the wall? Bradley Beal also missed a short jumper that could have ended it earlier that it did.
Recent form: The Wizards have lost four of the last six games, including the last two straight, but they have won seven of their last eight at home. On the other hand, they are 1-4 in their last five encounters with the Celtics.
NBA online betting odds trends: Home field advantage has also helped Washington cover, as the Wizards are 4-2 against the spread in the last six games at the Verizon Center. Conversely, they have failed to cover in four of the last five games versus Boston. The basketball gambling total has gone over in four of the Wizards’ last six games, and in four of their last five playing the Celtics.