On Sunday 03/23, the Portland Trail Blazers (32-39) will host the Boston Celtics(51-19) in an inter-conference Regular-Season match-up. The Trail Blazers are 12th in the West while the Celtics have tightened their grip on the second spot in the East. Will the Trail Blazers come up with a surprise against the surging Celts? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Trail Blazers: Overachievers are still in play-in tournament race
The Portland Trail Blazers will enter the affair after an impressive 19-point victory over the Denver Nuggets behind a glorious 36-point performance by Deni Avdija. The Trail Blazers have won four in a row and two of these wins have been against playoffs-bound teams. It has helped erase the hurt of a 5-game losing streak and helped them get just 2 games behind the Phoenix Suns/Dallas Mavericks in the race for the tenth spot. Avdija has led the charge this month, and the Trail Blazers have probably already won 10 more games than many had originally predicted. If they make it to the play-in tournament, it will be a huge leap for the franchise that is in rebuild mode.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG/SG: Anfernee Simons | SG: Shaedon Sharpe | SF: Deni Avdija | PF: Toumani Camara | C: Donovan Clingan
Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, and Donovan Clingan is UNCLEAR. Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III are likely to be OUT.
Celtics: Defensive champs are looking great
The Boston Celtics will come into this affair after an imposing 22-point win against the Utah Jazz behind Kristaps Porzingis’ 27-point, 10-rebound, and 6-assist outing. They took advantage of an easy four-game slate, returning 4/4 wins. They are 19-4 since late January, eclipsing the East table-topper Cavaliers(18-5) in that period by a slim margin. At any rate, they look favorites to make it out of the East, as they have survived comparatively inefficient seasons from Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday. The Celts remain the long-range barometer, burying 17.7 triples per game on a 36.8% clip. Meanwhile, they have held their opponents under 108 PPG(3rd), indicating chances of a repeat are high.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday | SG: Derrick White | SF: Jayson Tatum | PF/C: Kristaps Porzingis | PF/C: Kristaps Porzingis
Key Injuries/Updates: Jaylen Brown is OUT for the game.
The cool-as-cucumber Celts don’t mind high-scoring or low-scoring affairs. They have traded 100s and 114+ nights during their 4-game winning stretch. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have also followed similar patterns for the most part. Overall, we are in for an intriguing scoreline that can go either way as both teams have refused to give up more than 110 these days. We can be in for a 210-ish game.
Deni Avdija to be held under 16.5 points: The versatile Wing has put up 23.7 points per game in March, by far his most productive month. However, I expect the elite Celts’ defense to shut him down below 15.
Shaedon Sharpe to be shut down under 15.5 points: The isolation specialist has scored around 17 PPG each month this season. I believe he will be held under his season average here.
Jayson Tatum to dish over 6.5 assists: The Celts Wing has delivered 6.3 assists per game, 0.4 above his season average of 5.9 APG. I believe he will accumulate 7-9 helpers here.
Payton Pritchard to score over 16.5 points: The Sixth Man of the Year candidate is an inconsistent offensive player. He can have a 20-point and follow it up with a 5-point effort. I believe he will be on the high side here.
The Trail Blazers have been boisterous against winning teams lately, while the Celtics are ruthless against teams with losing records. If Celts shut down Avdija, they are probably in for a big win here. However, Portland’s defense can’t be underestimated even against the top-notch Boston offense. Overall, I believe the Celtics will win here but Portland may keep it within 6 points.
Safe Spread Pick: Trail Blazers +6.5 for +105 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Soobum Im- Imagn Images
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