The Boston Celtics have flown out to the top of the Eastern Conference more than a third of the way through the season, but teams like the Cavaliers and Raptors aren't far behind. Boston will aim to keep the pedal on the metal in a big Christmas Day game when they face off against the Washington Wizards.
Washington has been among the Eastern Conference’s best teams the past few years and is trying to climb up that ladder after a relatively slow start. The Wizards could really use this upset win on the road but it won’t be easy against a Celtics team which has absorbed a major injury to Gordon Hayward early on and continued to play well.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the TD Garden at 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 25, 2017. Catch every moment of the game live on ABC.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Monday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Celtics are 26-8 straight up and an impressive 21-11-2 against the spread as they have outclassed the expectations. Boston is 9-6-2 against the spread at home this season and has covered in 14 of 26 attempts as the favorite, with a pair of pushes.
The Wizards are 17-14 straight up and 15-16 against the spread. Washington has done nicely on the road this year, covering in 10 of 16 games thus far. Washington has not done well as a favorite this season but has covered in nine of 12 games as the underdog and will be getting points in this game.
Key Stat
98.3. That’s how many points per game opposing offenses are averaging against Boston’s defense this season. Led by Al Horford and Marcus Smart, both of whom have been in early discussions for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, the Celtics have been dominating defensively.
As a unit, Boston ranks No. 2 in the league in defensive efficiency as well, behind Oklahoma City. And on their home court, the Celtics have been even tougher, holding 11 of 17 opponents to under 100 points at the Garden this year.
This week, the Celtics face a Wizards team that is averaging 105.6 points a game which ranks in the middle of the pack league-wide. Bradley Beal and John Wall are Washington’s top scorers, combining for 43.1 points per game.
Player To Watch
Beal — The Wizards’ shooting guard has a good chance of being an All-Star for the first time in his career this season, at least by the way he’s playing. Beal was snubbed last season, despite averaging 24 points a game at the time, but has continued to play at a very high level this season and stands a good chance to get a nod.
Beal is averaging a team-high 23.8 points a game and finished with 51 points in a win against Portland earlier this month, a career best. He has been a consistent scorer for the offense this season, and seems to only get better as the season wears on.
Beal and the rest of the Wizards offene face a big test in this game against Boston. A big game here on Christmas Day, would certainly help get him the exposure that’s lacked in the past.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Wizards are a veteran team and won’t be intimidated by the bright lights of a national television audience or a raucous road arena. They should be able to keep this one close, but the Celtics are playing too well right now to be knocked off.
Take Boston to win this game, although by a margin that will likely be less than what the oddsmakers predict. This game could have more points than expected as the stars on both sides should play well.
NBA Odds: Celtics 108, Wizards 105
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