Stuck in the second seed spot of the East the Boston Celtics are profiteering as of late. The problem is that top seed Toronto is not taking any nights off either. Head coach Brad Stevens team has a championship caliber defense. What the Celtics lack is a credible offense. Portland is the hottest NBA betting online commodity on the board. Sportsbooks are getting cleaned out by the Northwest Division leaders. Much like Boston the Trailblazers have defense. Secondary scoring is what is setting them apart from the rest.
Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trailblazers
Date and Time: Friday, March, 23 2018, 7 p.m. Eastern
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click here!
Celtics vs. Trailblazers TV Coverage: NBA TV
Boston
Boston has scored seven NBA betting online covers in their last nine games. Under the total has paid in four of their last five games. Especially impressive is the Celtics mark of 24-10 vs. the line in road games. Defensively the green and white ranks third best in the NBA. Offensively they are plodding at 19th in the Association. Friday’s game at Portland opens a grueling four game road trip. Fresh off a 100-99 home payout over Oklahoma City the Celtics are feeling good.
Portland
Portland is on a rampage with 13 sportsbook payouts in their last 15 games. Over the total has cleared in four of their last six. Now third in the West that is likely the highest they can finish. However, a third-place finish in the Conference means home court for the first round of the playoffs. Moda Center has provided a huge home court advantage for the Blazers. Just 13 times have they failed to pay in 37 tries there. While ranking 15th in the NBA for scoring offense they rank fifth defensively.
Other Stats to Consider
Guard Damian Lillard is the trigger man for the Trailblazers. He leads the team with 27 points and seven assists per game. Fellow guard CJ McCollum pitches in with 22 points per outing. Boston will struggle to catch up with that backcourt tandem. Kyrie Irving is out for the Celts with a tender knee. Missing will be his 24 points per game. It would be hard to imagine a greater disadvantage for Boston.
Big Names on Court
Terry Stotts has done much to rehabilitate his reputation at Portland. He has emerged as consistent winner and motivator. To play defense at the level the Blazers do requires a full buy-in. And Stotts earns that. Brad Stevens is one of the NBA’s brilliant young minds. Arriving from the college ranks at Butler he has silenced the critics. Upon arrival Stevens was derided as in over his head. Last year’s Eastern Conference Finals appearance proved his worth.
Team vs Team
February 4 saw the Celtics squeak by with a 97-96 home win over the Blazers. Revenge sets up well for Portland with the superior firepower. Three of the last four between these teams at Moda Center went over the number.
Matchup to Watch
Boston is outmanned for this NBA betting online matchup. Portland has the superior firepower and depth. What little offense the Celtics have will be suffocated by the Blazers defense.
Celtics vs. Trailblazers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Portland is in the perfect spot here. Moda Center has meant consistent profits for Blazer backers. It all adds up to a Trailblazers payout.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Portland Trailblazers
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Trailblazers 110, Celtics 91