Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Boston Celtics Preview
Where: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts
When: Friday, December 23, 2016, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-2) vs. Boston Celtics (+2); total: 209.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBATV
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (-2)
Russell Westbrook continued his historic start to the season during Wednesday night’s 121-110 win at New Orleans, where he finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while also becoming the first player in league history to collect at least 900 points, 300 rebounds and 300 assists through the first 29 games of the season.
Westbrook’s jaw-dropping averages (31.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 10.8 APG) this season have led the Thunder to a respectable 17-12 record, currently good enough for the seventh seed in the Western Conference. He has also scored 40-plus points with 10 or more rebounds in his past two games, and another MVP-type of night is to be expected later in Boston.
OKC defeated an Isaiah Thomas-less Celtics squad earlier this season at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 99-96, with Westbrook posting 37 points, 12 boards and six dimes. But he’ll probably need more than just himself to get the road win here, especially with Victor Oladipo (wrist) still sidelined and with a now-healthy Thomas directing the C’s.
Enes Kanter and Alex Abrines came off the bench and scored 14 and 18 points, respectively, in the victory over the Pelicans. Every point that the Thunder can get from those two, or anybody else besides Westbrook, will be huge.
Oklahoma City is 4-6 SU and ATS in its last 10 road games.
Betting on the Boston Celtics (+2)
Boston brings into this game a four-game winning streak that includes a trio of tough road wins at Miami, Memphis and just last night in Indiana, where Isaiah Thomas put on a 28-point, 9-assist effort to lead his Celtics to the 109-102 victory.
Thomas has now tallied 23 or more points, along with a 44-point outburst in the win over the Grizzlies, in his last four games since returning from a groin injury. And overall this season, the Washington product is averaging team-highs of 26.6 points and 6.0 assists.
However, defending Russell Westbrook should arguably be the main focus for this regular-season finale against OKC, which is 10-8 this season whenever Westbrook finishes with 28 or more points.
The Celtics, who are allowing 102.5 points on the year, are 5-5 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston (+2) wins it, 111-102
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