Basketball gambling doesn’t get as suspenseful as when the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics battle for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. The Wizards held off the Celts 92-91 on Friday to tie the series 3-3 and force a seventh game. The local team has won all ten meetings between Boston and Washington this season, which bodes well for the residents of the TD Garden. The Wizards have not made the conference finals since 1979 when they were still the Bullets, which was also the last time they won a divisional title until 2017. The Celtics last reached that stage in 2012.
Time: 8:05 PM
Venue: TD Garden
Sportsbook NBA online betting odds:
Wizards +5 (-110) 210½ (-110) +185
Celtics -5 (-110) 210½ (-110) -225
Washington
Key players: John Wall nailed a game-winning three-point shot with 3.5 seconds remaining that had the home crowd singing, “you’re gonna be the one that saves me, and after all you’re my wonder Wall.” Or at least that’s what should’ve happened because it would’ve ruled. You just can’t give this guy an opening because he will sink those treys faster than you can say “Johnny Depp’s deep in debt.” Wall finished with 26 points and eight assists while Bradley Beal had 33 points.
Recent form: The Wizards have won three of the last four games in this series, but have lost six of their last seven road games as well as their last five trips to Boston and over in six of Washington’s last seven games on the road.
NBA online betting odds trends: Washington has only covered the spread in 30% of their last 10 games and in one fifth of their last six on the road. Additionally, they have lost seven of their last eight postseason games as road dogs. The basketball gambling total has gone over in two thirds of the Wizards’ last six games versus the Celtics.
Boston
Key players: Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley had 27 points apiece, but the latter’s famed defensive skills couldn’t stop Wall and the former failed in his attempt to pull a Marlon Wayans in The Sixth Man. Huh. What an obscure reference. Thomas will be playing the first Game 7 of his career tonight, but the point guard said he doesn’t “believe in pressure.” Doesn’t believe in pressure? Let’s just hope he is not also a flat-earther like Kyrie Irving.
Recent form: The Celtics have dropped three of the last four games but have won 70% of their last 10 overall games and 80% of their last five home games.
NBA online betting odds trends: Boston have a perfect ATS record in their last five times hosting the Wizard, and have covered the spread in 80% of their last 10 games and in four fifths of their last five games at home. The basketball gambling total has gone over in two thirds of the Celtics’ last six home games and over in 80% of Boston’s last five playing at home versus the Wizards.