Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions March 23rd 2025

Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics March 23rd 2025

Tip-off is set for 6:00 ET at the Moda Center in Portland as the Blazers host the Celtics in a non-conference matchup. Boston is favored by 7.5 and comes in with a record of 51-19, while the Blazers are 32-39 and have won four straight.

TV coverage for this game will be provided by NBCS.

Celtics vs. Trail Blazers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
• Where: Portland at Moda Center
• Date: Sunday, March 23rd
• Betting Odds BOS -7.5, BOS -294 | POR +243 O/U 220.5

The Celtics Can Win If…

Boston improved to 51-19 with a 121-99 win over the Jazz on Friday. The Celtics were -14.5 point favorites and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 220 points fell short of the 226.5 O/U line.

Boston’s 13-0 run turned the game, taking the score from 74-69 to 82-74. They led 89-75 going into the 4th and closed out the game by outscoring Utah 32-24 in the final quarter.

Kristaps Porzingis led the Celtics to a 121-99 win over the Jazz, posting 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists while shooting 60% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 60% efficiency. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and 6 assists, though he shot just 30% from beyond the arc, making 3 threes.

Boston connected on 17 threes as a team, shooting 33.3% from deep and 46.4% overall. Payton Pritchard contributed 18 points, knocking down 4 threes at 36.4% efficiency.

Boston’s defense held the Jazz to 99 points on Friday, with strong efforts in the 1st and 3rd quarters, where they allowed just 21 and 24 points, respectively. The Celtics limited Utah’s trips to the free-throw line, where the Jazz went 9/12.

From beyond the arc, Utah hit 14 threes at a 40% clip. Boston grabbed 32 defensive rebounds, giving up 9 offensive boards. The Celtics also recorded 13 steals and 4 blocks in the game.

• Across their last three road contests, Boston has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-0, while averaging 113 points per game.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.
• Over their last five games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Trail Blazers Can Win If…

Portland improved to 32-39 on the season with a 128-109 home win over the Nuggets on Friday. The Trail Blazers entered the game as +2 point underdogs but covered the spread with the victory. The combined score of 237 points went over the pre-game line of 226.5.

Portland went on a 10-0 run early in the game, turning a 19-12 deficit into a 22-19 lead. After trailing 59-54 at halftime, the Trail Blazers outscored the Nuggets 34-23 in the 3rd quarter and 40-27 in the 4th to close out the game.

Deni Avdija’s 36-point performance, shooting 75% from the field and hitting 4 threes at 66.7%, led the Trail Blazers to a 128-point effort against the Nuggets. Avdija added 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Shaedon Sharpe contributed 23 points, and Dalano Banton added 19, shooting 60% with 2 threes.

Portland hit 14 threes at a 40% clip, shooting 54% overall. Avdija scored 11 points in the 3rd quarter and added 12 more in the 4th, while Banton also added 11 points in the final period.

Despite allowing 109 points on 50% shooting, the Trail Blazers’ defense did enough to secure the win over the Nuggets. Portland gave up 30 points in the 1st quarter and 29 in the 2nd, but tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 23 points. They finished strong in the 4th, holding Denver to 27 points.

The Trail Blazers limited the Nuggets to 9 made threes on 34% shooting from deep. Portland also recorded 12 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

• In their last five home games, Portland has averaged 115 points per game while allowing 120. The team’s record in this stretch was 1-4 while going 3-2.
• Through their last three games as the underdog, the Trail Blazers have an ATS record of 3-0 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• In their last three games, the Trail Blazers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 3-0 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +7.5, the Trail Blazers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 220.5, and our model projects the Celtics and Trail Blazers to reach a combined total of 237 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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Celtics, Blazers on 4-Game Win Streaks Entering Clash

Two of the hottest teams in the NBA will clash when the Portland Trail Blazers host the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. Both teams are on four-game winning streaks and are looking to extend their momentum as they chase their respective postseason goals.

Portland (32-39) is making a late bid for a play-in berth, pulling to within two games of the 10th-place Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference. The Trail Blazers’ recent surge was highlighted by a dominant 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, securing their fourth consecutive win at home.

Looking for more insights into the Trail Blazers’ playoff chances? Visit NBA Western Conference Odds & Predictions for expert analysis.

Deni Avdija Leading the Charge

Deni Avdija has been the driving force behind Portland’s hot streak. He erupted for 36 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists against the Nuggets, just two days after recording 31 points, 16 boards, and eight assists against the Memphis Grizzlies.

“He’s been incredible,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “We’re all learning more about one another the whole time, and I think Deni is learning a lot about Deni at the moment. The way that we’re playing, and the pace we’re playing at, it suits him.”

Billups praised Avdija not just for his scoring but for his overall game, including playmaking and rebounding. The coach emphasized how critical Avdija’s rebounding has been for the undermanned Blazers, who are dealing with injuries to key players like Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Donovan Clingan, and Jabari Walker.

Celtics Stay Strong Without Brown

The Boston Celtics (51-19) are riding high with nine wins in their last 10 games, despite being without four-time All-Star Jaylen Brown for the second consecutive game due to a bone bruise and posterior impingement in his right knee.

Even without Brown, the Celtics have shown no signs of slowing down, highlighted by a commanding 121-99 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday. Kristaps Porzingis led the way with 27 points, while Jayson Tatum remains the focal point, averaging 27.1 points per game.

“I just appreciate their mindset,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to win and we’ve got to do it the right way. We’ve got to do it through process.”

For a deeper dive into the Celtics’ playoff chances and how injuries might impact their journey, visit NBA Championship Odds & Predictions.

Betting Preview and Prediction

Both teams come into this matchup on fire, but the Celtics hold a slight edge given their consistent performance and depth. The Trail Blazers, however, are making a strong push for the play-in tournament and should not be underestimated.

For the latest betting insights, expert picks, and odds for this exciting clash, visit the NBA Picks and Predictions. Whether you are backing the Celtics to extend their streak or betting on the Blazers to maintain their home dominance, get all the tips you need to make an informed wager.

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