Celtics vs. Nuggets odds, score prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, Jan. 7 bets by proven model
The past two NBA champions clash when the Boston Celtics meet the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Denver won the 2022-23 title, while Boston claimed last season's championship. The Celtics (26-10), first in the Atlantic Division, have won three of their last four games. The Nuggets (20-14), second in the Northwest Division, have won four of five. Aaron Gordon (calf) remains out for Denver, while Nikola Jokic (illness) is listed as questionable. Derrick White (illness) is questionable for Boston.
Tipoff from Ball Arena in Denver is set for 10 p.m. ET. Boston leads the all-time series 60-40, but Denver has won the last three meetings. The Celtics are 8-point favorites in the latest Celtics vs. Nuggets odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 234.5. Before making any Nuggets vs. Celtics picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 12 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 133-97 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Nuggets and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Celtics vs. Nuggets:
Strong forward Jayson Tatum registered a double-double in Sunday's 105-92 loss at Oklahoma City. In that game, he poured in 26 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and making two steals. He had 33 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a 118-115 win at Minnesota on Thursday. In 33 games this season, all starts, he is averaging 28.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.4 minutes.
Shooting guard Jaylen Brown is another offensive weapon for Boston. In 29 games, all starts, he is averaging 24.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.5 minutes. In a 142-105 win over the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 27, he poured in 44 points, while adding five rebounds, four steals and three assists. He had 31 points, six assists and four boards in a 123-114 loss to Indiana on Dec. 29. See which team to pick here.
Center Nikola Jokic (questionable) is coming off back-to-back monster games. The ninth-year veteran just missed a triple-double with 46 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in Saturday's 122-111 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs. He scored 41 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out nine assists in a 113-110 loss to the Spurs on Friday. In 31 games, all starts, he is averaging 31.5 points, 13 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 37.1 minutes of action.
Point guard Jamal Murray has played well of late, including registering a double-double in a 132-121 win over the Utah Jazz on Dec. 30. In that game, he scored 20 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed four rebounds. He scored 34 points with five rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 134-121 win over the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 28. In 28 games, all starts, he is averaging 19.4 points, 6.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 36.7 minutes. See which team to pick here.
The model has simulated Celtics vs. Nuggets 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning under on the total, projecting 229 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits over 60% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Nuggets, and which side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Nuggets spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 133-97 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
Celtics vs. Nuggets Best bets: Odds, predictions, expert pick, recent stats, and trends for January 7
It’s Tuesday, January 7, and the Boston Celtics (26-10) and the Denver Nuggets (20-14) are all set to square off from Ball Arena in Denver.
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are back on the court for the first time since Saturday’s 122-111 OT win over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Jokic tallied 46 in the win. The Celtics lost Sunday to the Thunder 105-92 in what may well have been a preview of the NBA Finals. Jayson Tatum had 26 in the loss for Boston.
The Celtics are currently 13-4 on the road with a point differential of +10, while the Nuggets have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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The latest odds as of Tuesday:
That gives the Celtics an implied team point total of 119.44, and the Nuggets 117.09.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) is on Boston’s Jayson Tatum tonight: Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 Points (-110) “The Celtics are coming off two tough games against physical opponents in the Rockets and Thunder. While this game will be in Denver, I like this bounce back spot for Tatum as he scored 20 and 26 in the past two. The Nuggets’ defense gave up 30 to Trae Young and 35 to Victor Wembayama in two of the past three, so I like Tatum to copy that.”
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Celtics & Nuggets game:
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar! Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Celtics vs. Nuggets on Tuesday
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Jayson Tatum scores 29, Porzingis adds 25 as Celtics hold off depleted Nuggets 118-106
DENVER (AP) Jayson Tatum scored 29 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 25 and the Boston Celtics held off the depleted Denver Nuggets 118-106 on Tuesday night as three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic sat out because of an illness.
Porzingis had 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday contributed 19 points. The Celtics attempted 35 3-pointers, which was well below their season average of 50.17. Instead, they outscored the Nuggets by a 60-46 margin in the paint.
Russell Westbrook had 26 points for Denver and eight turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. added 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Nuggets dropped to 10-7 at home. They were 33-8 last season.
Trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, the Nuggets rallied to make sure the game stayed tight down the stretch. There was a momentary break with 8:56 remaining when a cup of ice spilled on the court. It took several minutes to clean up. Christian Braun followed with a 3-pointer to tie it at 93.
Boston went on a 15-0 run to help cement the win.
The game between the last two NBA champions was setting up to feature two of the top players in the league. But Jokic went from probable to questionable to finally ruled out. The Nuggets were also missing Aaron Gordon (calf).
Celtics: Stellar defense down the stretch, including steals from Al Horford and Tatum.
Nuggets: The bench had a solid showing with Julian Strawther scoring 19 and Peyton Watson 14.
Porter appeared to be fouled by Sam Hauser going in for a dunk with 2:57 left in the third quarter and Denver trailing 80-77. The Celtics won the challenge.
There were 10 lead changes and eight ties.
The Nuggets turn around and host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, while the Celtics play at home against Sacramento on Friday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
