Celtics vs. Clippers Odds, Picks, Predictions: How Will Boston Respond Following Rare Loss?
After falling to the defending champs last time out, the Boston Celtics will look to get back in the win column against the Los Angeles Clippers. Read on for our Celtics-Clippers pick and prediction.
The Celtics suffered a rare loss last time out against the Golden State Warriors, and now they’ll have to face another formidable opponent from the Western Conference in the Clippers on Monday.
Los Angeles is finally getting healthy again, and despite splitting its last four games, both losses have come in excruciatingly close fashion. Now, the Clippers will get to play at home for the first time in weeks.
Here is our best Celtics vs. Clippers NBA pick (odds via BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our NBA best bets.
Celtics vs. Clippers Game Info
Date: Monday, Dec. 12
TV: NBA TV
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Celtics vs. Clippers Odds
Celtics vs. Clippers Odds Analysis
The opening line here made the Celtics 3.5-point favorites on the road, and despite some money coming in on Boston, the line hasn’t shifted all that much. The number of tickets on the Celtics at DraftKings is a whopping 76%, with 79% of the spread handle on them as well. Most books have kept the line right at 3.5 points, though.
A robust 72% of all bets on the total here have come in on the Over, while a significantly lower 59% of the money is on the Over. That makes the Under the sharp bet here, and it’s no wonder the number has moved from 227 at open to as low as 224.5.
Celtics vs. Clippers Pick
Clippers +4.5 ★★★★
As noted above, it’s not like it’s all bad for the Clippers. Losing two games by five points, even with one coming against the Magic, isn’t the worst thing in the world. On top of that, Kawhi Leonard wasn’t even active for the loss in Miami, where LA nearly pulled off the upset.
The fact remains, the Clippers are 6-2 straight up with Leonard in the lineup and are a very fearsome team with him. They remain a very physical team with excellent interior defense and rebounding, where they rank 11th, and they have a knack for scoring around the rim as well.
This is a nightmare matchup for Boston, which ranks 19th on the glass and is still playing without starting center Al Horford in addition to another impact center in Robert Williams III. Boston has been able to tread water without the pair, but we have seen in recent games that the lack of frontcourt depth is starting to catch up with Boston. I will take my chances with a fully-loaded Clippers team (minus Norm Powell) against a weakened frontcourt.
Celtics vs. Clippers Best Odds
BetMGM (-115)
| BetMGM | Caesars | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet |
| +4.5 (-115) | +3.5 (-110) | +3.5 (-105) | +4 (-110) | +4 (-107) |
This is a really good deal here on the Clippers. While most books would make you pay at least a few cents more than this to move the line a full point from 3.5 to 4.5, this is what BetMGM is currently working with. If you wish, you can get -105 odds on the 3.5 points at DraftKings, but it’s well worth it here to grab the extra point given the discrepancy between books.
Where to Bet on Celtics vs. Clippers
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
Celtics vs. Clippers picks made 12/12/2022 at 1:50 p.m. ET.
Related Articles
