Oklahoma City Thunder vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/03/2024

by Rod Pearson

Tuesday, Apr 02, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Venue:  TD Garden, Boston, MA
Where to Watch:  ESPN


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Thunder +8, Celtics -8; Over/Under:  227.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Thunder +8, Celtics -8; Over/Under:  227.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Thunder +8.5, Celtics -8.5; Over/Under:  227.5 points

Season Record

Oklahoma City Thunder:  52-22 (1st place, Northwest Division)
Boston Celtics:  59-16 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

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Recent Form
Oklahoma City Thunder:  7-3 last 10
Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10


Oklahoma City Thunder vs Boston Celtics Preview and Analysis


The Thunder are entering this game with a 52-22 record overall and they are 23-14 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks in their last game, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Philadelphia 76ers still to be played on Monday night. In their game against the 76ers, Jalen Williams led the team in points in that game with 33 while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was next on the team with 19 points. Josh Giddey led the team in assists in that game with 12 while Josh Giddey led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 53.7% from the field, 38.2% from 3-point range, and 50% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113 PPG against them. The Thunder have an ATS record of 42-31-1 this season and their O/U record is 40-31-3.



The Celtics are entering this game with a 59-16 record overall and they are 32-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets in their last game. Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser each led the team in points in that game with 25 while Kristaps Porziņģis was next on the team with 20 points. Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard each led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 48.3% from the field, 35.8% from 3-point range, and 81.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.4 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 39-33-3 this season and their O/U record is 38-37.


Thunder vs Celtics Prediction

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as an 8 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked really good in their games this season with their 59-16 record overall which has them at the top of the East with the best record in the entire NBA right now. They have been leading the NBA with the best record for a good majority of the season and they have also looked great on their home court with their 32-3 home record. Meanwhile, the Thunder have also looked great in their games this season with their 52-22 record overall which has them at the top of the West right now with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have been a really good road team too with their 23-14 road record, but they still haven't been as good or as consistent as the Celtics have been all season. Both teams are hot right now with both coming in on a 2 game winning streak, but the Celtics have been the hotter team lately with their 8-2 record in their last 10 games while the Thunder are 7-3. The Celtics are also in a much better situation here since they are at home and rested with a healthier team for this game. The Thunder have been missing their best player lately so they are going to be banged up in this game either way, and they are also in a tougher spot being on the road and playing this game on the 2nd part of a back-to-back. The Celtics are going to take advantage of the Thunder in this bad situation and the Celtics will use this game as a way to send a statement, beating one of the best teams in the West right now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.

Thunder Celtics Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, April 3, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Celtics 133 Thunder 118.
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NBA Betting Trends


Oklahoma City Thunder: 11-6 ATS as an underdog. 29-14 ATS after a loss by 6 points or less. 21-8 OVER against Atlantic division opponents. 9-4 OVER off a road loss. 20-11 OVER after a game where they failed to cover the spread.

Boston Celtics: 4-11 ATS off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. 14-23 ATS after allowing 105 points or less 2 straight games. 20-7 OVER against Northwest division opponents. 11-4 OVER revenging a road loss vs opponent. 7-2 OVER after allowing 105 points or less 2 straight games.

Key Injuries


Oklahoma City Thunder:  J. Williams (SG) Out Tues - Ankle. S. Gilgeous-Alexander (PG) Ques Tues - Quadricep.

Boston Celtics:  J. Springer (PG) Ques Wed - Knee. J. Davison (PG) Ques Wed - Ankle. J. Brown (SG) Ques Wed - Hand.


Notable Quotes


“Great accomplishment for the organization. I couldn't be happier for the team and for the organization. And now we've got to continue to sharpen our blade down the stretch here (to) prepare ourselves.” - Mark Daigneault after his team’s win against the Knicks in their game on Sunday.


“I think just layers of our offense is what unleashes him. The guys understand that he’s a weapon in different ways, and so when we get to the second and third layer of our offense, especially when teams are guarding us a certain way, it really unleashes guys like Sam. And his teammates continuing to trust him and find him within the layers of our offense.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s win against the Hornets in their game on Monday.


Starting Lineups


Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Josh Giddey
SF Luguentz Dort
PF Kenrich Williams
C Chet Holmgren

Boston Celtics
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Derrick White
SF Jaylen Brown
PF Jayson Tatum
C Kristaps Porzingis

Statistical Leaders


Oklahoma City Thunder
PPG: S. Gilgeous-Alexander (30.3)
APG: S. Gilgeous-Alexander (6.3)
Reb/G: C. Holmgren (7.9)

Boston Celtics
PPG: J. Tatum (27.2)
APG: D. White (5.2)
Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.3)

Coaches:
Oklahoma City Thunder: Mark Daigneault (4th season)
Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season)



Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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