Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/07/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Venue:  TD Garden, Boston, MA

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Nuggets +9.5, Celtics -9.5; Over/Under:  232.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Nuggets +9.5, Celtics -9.5; Over/Under:  232.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Nuggets +9.5, Celtics -9.5; Over/Under:  232.5 points

Denver Nuggets:  24-12 (2nd place, Northwest Division)

Boston Celtics:  23-12 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

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Denver Nuggets:  4-6 last 10

Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

The Nuggets are entering this game with a 24-12 record overall this season and they are 14-7 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Jalen Pickett led the team in points in that game with 29 while Peyton Watson was next on the team with 24 points. Jalen Pickett led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Zeke Nnaji led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 53.1% from the field, 48.6% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 124.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 118.3 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 21-15 this season and their O/U record is 24-12.

The Celtics are entering this game with a 23-12 record overall this season and they are 11-5 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Utah Jazz, the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Chicago Bulls. Anfernee Simons led the team in points in that game with 27 while Payton Pritchard was next on the team with 21 points. Derrick White led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Neemias Queta led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 40.4% from the field, 38.5% from 3-point range, and 84.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.5 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 21-14 this season and their O/U record is 16-19.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 9.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked really good in their games this season with their 23-12 record overall which has them right near the top of the East. They have looked good on their home court too with their 11-5 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have looked great in their games this season with their 24-12 record overall which has them right near the top of the West. They have been a great road team too with their 14-7 road record this year. The Nuggets are off a win over the 76ers in their last one, but they haven't looked great lately. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have been dealing with some injuries lately, including missing their star player Jokic. The Celtics had a terrible start to the year and looked lost with Tatum out for most of the season, but they have looked a lot better lately and have been starting to roll now. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and they have a ton of momentum on their side with 4 wins in a row now. They have been in a groove now, beating some solid teams in the NBA, and they have been putting up a ton of points in their games lately too. The Nuggets are off a big upset win over the 76ers in their last one, but finding wins without Jokic has been a struggle for them and the Celtics have the talent to take advantage of that at home with how good they have looked lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game. 

Nuggets Celtics Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 128 Nuggets 114.

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Denver Nuggets: 30-19 ATS as an underdog. 8-3 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 28-18 ATS when playing 8 or more games in 14 days. 18-7 OVER off an upset win as an underdog. 45-28 OVER in non-conference games. 

Boston Celtics: 17-25 ATS at home off a home win. 25-19 OVER in a home game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 21-15 OVER at home versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 34-28 OVER at home when playing against a team with a winning record.

Denver Nuggets:  A. Gordon (PF) Day To Day - Hamstring. J. Murray (PG) Day To Day - Ankle. T. Hardaway Jr. (SG) Day To Day - Illness Management. C. Braun (SG) Day To Day - Ankle. J. Valanciunas (C) Out - Calf. N. Jokic (C) Out - Knee. C. Johnson (PF) Out - Knee. T. Bates (SG) Out - Foot.

Boston Celtics:  J. Tatum (PF) Out - Achilles.

"Hunter [Tyson] had his moment, Jalen Pickett had a career night, Peyton Watson's responsibility to guard Maxey and have the ball in his hand throughout, Zeke had a night. Just so many guys stepped in and did things for us. Bruce hit a big three. I could keep going down the list, so one of the most special wins I've been a part of." - David Adelman after his team’s win against the 76ers in their game on Monday.

"We had 14 offensive rebounds and four forced turnovers in the first half. I think that’s the key. Our defense and our offensive rebounds kept us in it. As long as we can continue those margins, those are the things that allow you to play the way that you need to play when you’re not at your best from a shooting standpoint." - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s win against the Bulls in their game on Monday.

PG Jamal Murray

SG Christian Braun

SF Spencer Jones

PF Aaron Gordon

C DaRon Holmes II

PG Payton Pritchard

SG Derrick White 

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Sam Hauser

C Neemias Queta

PPG: Nikola Jokic (29.6)

APG: Nikola Jokic (11)

Reb/G: Nikola Jokic (12.2)

PPG: Jaylen Brown (29.6)

APG: Derrick White (5.3)

Reb/G: Neemias Queta (7.8)

Coaches:

Denver Nuggets: David Adelman (2nd season)

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (4th season)