Washington-wizards vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions December 15th 2024

Washington-Wizards vs Boston Celtics December 15th 2024

The Celtics are favored by 16 points in their matchup with the Wizards. Boston is 20-5 and 2nd in the Eastern Conference, while Washington is 3-20 and 15th in the East. The over/under line is set at 229.5.

This Eastern Conference matchup will be played at Capital One Arena in Washington. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 ET and can be seen on NBCS.

Celtics vs. Wizards Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
• Where: Washington at Capital One Arena
• Date: Sunday, December 15th
• Betting Odds BOS -16, BOS -1425 | WAS +831 O/U 229.5

The Celtics Can Win If…

The Celtics improved to 20-5 on the season with a 123-99 win over the Pistons on Thursday. Boston, who were -11.5 point favorites, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 222 points fell just short of the 224.5 O/U line.

Boston took control early, leading 27-16 after the 1st quarter. A key 10-0 run extended their lead from 38-33 to 48-33. They outscored Detroit 34-24 in the 3rd quarter, entering the 4th with a 93-68 lead, before the Pistons edged them 31-30 in the final period.

In their win over the Pistons, the Celtics shot 51.1% from the field and hit 20 threes at a 41.7% rate. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White each made 7 threes, with Pritchard finishing with 27 points and 10 assists, while White added 23 points.

Pritchard scored 11 points in the 2nd quarter and 10 more in the 4th. Jaylen Brown also had 10 points in the final period, and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 19 points overall.

The Celtics put on a defensive clinic against the Pistons, holding them to 99 points on Thursday. Boston set the tone early, allowing just 16 points in the 1st quarter. They gave up 28 in the 2nd, 24 in the 3rd, and 31 in the 4th.

Boston limited Detroit to 42% shooting, including just 18% from beyond the arc, with the Pistons making only 7 threes. The Celtics also sent Detroit to the line just 10 times, where they made 8 free throws. Boston finished with 43 defensive rebounds, 6 steals, and 4 blocks.

• In their last three games away from home, the Celtics have a straight up record of 2-1 while going 0-3 vs the spread. The team averaged 119 points per game in this stretch.
• Against the spread, the Celtics have put together 1-2 in their last three games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 2-1 straight up.
• Over their last three games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Wizards Can Win If…

After a 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday, the Wizards dropped to 3-20 this season. Washington, who were +16.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread, but the combined score of 220 points fell short of the 232.5 O/U line.

A key moment in the game came when Cleveland went on a 15-0 run, turning a 25-18 deficit into a 33-25 lead. Washington kept things close after that, but couldn’t close the gap, as the Cavaliers outscored them 28-25 in the 4th quarter.

Bilal Coulibaly led the Wizards with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in their 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers, hitting 5 threes at a 62.5% clip. He shot 55.6% from the field overall. Jordan Poole added 17 points and 6 assists, though he struggled from deep, making just 2 of 8 attempts.

Justin Champagnie contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds, scoring 9 points in the 4th quarter. The Wizards made 14 threes as a team, shooting 35% from beyond the arc and 47.7% overall.

Despite holding the Cavaliers to 39% shooting, the Wizards gave up 115 points in a loss on Friday. Washington allowed 32 points in the 2nd quarter and 30 in the 3rd, with Cleveland scoring 28 in the 4th to seal the win.

Washington limited Cleveland to 30% from three, with the Cavaliers making 15 threes. The Wizards also sent Cleveland to the line 40 times, where they hit 28 free throws. Defensively, Washington recorded 7 steals and 7 blocks.

• In their last five games at home, the Wizards have a straight up record of 0-5 while going 2-2-1 vs. the spread. The team averaged 103 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Wizards have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 2-1.
• In their last five games, the Wizards have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Celtics is our selection to secure the victory, with a projected score of 133-94. We also like them to cover the spread, so we suggest betting on the Celtics at -16.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 229.5, and our model projects the Celtics and Wizards to reach a combined total of 227 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Celtics’ Payton Pritchard Shines as Sixth Man Contender

The Boston Celtics (18-6) enter Sunday’s clash with the Washington Wizards (3-20) riding high, thanks in part to the stellar play of backup guard Payton Pritchard. The Celtics boast one of the NBA’s most balanced offenses, featuring Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White. However, it’s Pritchard’s emergence as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate that adds an extra dimension to Boston’s depth.

Pritchard is averaging 16.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 43.2% from 3-point range this season. His standout performance against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, where he hit seven 3-pointers and posted 27 points with 10 assists, underscores his ability to shift games in Boston’s favor.

“I just try to make the game simple,” Pritchard said of his recent success.

With Pritchard leading the bench, the Celtics are firmly positioned as Eastern Conference contenders.

Wizards’ Struggles Continue Amid Spark from Bilal Coulibaly

For the Wizards, the season has been a painful grind. They’ve lost 18 of their last 19 games, including a hard-fought 115-105 defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Despite their struggles, bright spots have emerged, particularly rookie Bilal Coulibaly.

Coulibaly tied his career-high with 27 points and added five 3-pointers against Cleveland, showcasing his potential as a future franchise cornerstone. Meanwhile, Justin Champagnie has been a revelation, averaging 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in his last three starts.

Still, Washington’s issues are glaring: inconsistent defense, frequent turnovers, and a lack of offensive efficiency. The Wizards rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed per game (120.2) and need to find ways to stay competitive against a high-powered Celtics squad.

Key Matchups to Watch

Payton Pritchard vs. Washington’s Defense

Pritchard’s ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting makes him a nightmare for defenses, particularly one as porous as Washington’s. The Wizards will need Coulibaly or Delon Wright to disrupt Pritchard’s rhythm and limit his open looks.

Jayson Tatum’s Potential Return

Tatum missed Thursday’s game with a knee injury but participated in team activities on Friday. If he suits up, the Wizards will face the daunting task of containing Boston’s leading scorer.

Bilal Coulibaly vs. Boston’s Wings

Coulibaly’s breakout game against Cleveland highlighted his scoring ability, but matching up with Boston’s physical wings—like Brown and White—will be a new test.

Keys to the Game

Boston Celtics

1. Utilize Depth: With players like Pritchard thriving off the bench, Boston must continue to leverage its deep rotation.
2. Defensive Intensity: The Celtics need to force turnovers and capitalize on Washington’s offensive inefficiencies.
3. Control the Pace: Boston thrives when they dictate tempo and generate open looks for their shooters.

Washington Wizards

1. Build on Coulibaly’s Momentum: The rookie’s confidence is growing; Washington must feed him the ball and let him create.
2. Defend the Perimeter: Limiting Pritchard’s and Boston’s outside shooting will be critical to keeping the game close.
3. Minimize Turnovers: Against a disciplined team like Boston, mistakes can snowball quickly.

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Matchup Outlook

The Celtics are 2-0 against the Wizards this season and have won six straight meetings overall. While Washington has seen some individual growth, their team struggles make it hard to envision them keeping pace with a cohesive Celtics squad.

With Tatum and Sam Hauser potentially returning, Boston’s firepower could overwhelm a Wizards team desperate for answers. Expect Pritchard to play a key role as the Celtics look to maintain their dominance over the East’s bottom-tier teams.