Celtics vs Trail Blazers Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Friday, March 17th

Check out our free Celtics vs Trail Blazers pick and preview for this NBA game in Portland. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Celtics vs Trail Blazers NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
Where: Portland at Moda Center
Date: Friday, March 17th
Betting Odds POR +4, BOS -171 | POR +140 O/U OFF

The Celtics come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 48-22. So far, the team has gone 35-33-2 against the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Boston has an overall record of 2-1, including going 1-2 against the spread.

The Celtics are coming off a 104-102 win over the Timberwolves. Although they came away with a straight up win, it was not enough to cover the spread as they entered as 4 point favorites. This was a highly contested matchup, as Boston was not able to extend their lead in the second half as they went into halftime with a 1 point lead. In the win, Jaylen Brown led the team in scoring with 35 points on a field goal percentage of 50.0%.

The Trail Blazers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 31-38. So far, the team has gone 34-35-0 against the spread. The Trail Blazers head into today’s action in the midst of a 4 game losing streak. Their average scoring differential in these defeats is -14.0.

Not only did the Trail Blazers drop their last game to the Knicks. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 123-107 as 2 point underdogs. Portland went on to lose the game despite leading by 6 heading into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Damian Lillard, as he contributed 38 points while hitting 42.3% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Celtics picked up the 115-93 win over the Trail Blazers. The Celtics point margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 9.5 point favorite. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Celtics averaged 125.0 points per game vs Portland, which was an increase over their season-long average. On the other side, the Trail Blazers also experienced an uptick in scoring during head-to-head matchups, averaging 113.0 points per game vs Boston. Across the previous 5 meetings between the teams, the Celtics have an average scoring margin of +8 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-2. A combined average of 232 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 4-1.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

The Celtics come into today’s game as one of the better scoring teams in the NBA at 117.5 points per game (4th). The Celtics come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 15.8 made 3’s per game. A key to the teams offensive success is their ability to avoid turning the ball over. So far, Boston is ranked 8th in fewest turnovers per game.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Celtics are giving up an average of 104.48 points per game, good for 1st in the NBA.

One situation to keep an eye on leading up the game is the availability of Jayson Tatum, as he is currently questionable on the injury report. If he is able to play, the team will have it’s 1-2 punch availble as Tatum leads the team in scoring at 30.1 points per game while Brown is 2nd at 26.8. For the season, Tatum is 12th in the NBA in usage rate and 22nd in player efficiency. Behind him, Brown has taken 23.1% of the team’s field goal attempts, connecting at a rate of 49.0%.

Through 69 games, the Trail Blazers are averaging 114.4 points per contest, placing them 15th in the NBA. The Trail Blazers come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 13.2 made 3’s per game. If the Trail Blazers offense is going to improve, they could look to play at a faster tempo, as they currently average just 97.6 possession per game. This could benefit the team as they are currently one of the better 3-point shooting units in the NBA.

Against the Celtics, the Trail Blazers will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 27th in points allowed.

Before getting a bet down on this matchup, be sure to check in on the health status of Jerami Grant who is 2nd on the team in scoring at 20.5 points per game. At the time of this article, Grant is listed as questionable. For the season, he is 4th on the team in usage rate and is 133rd in the NBA in player efficiency rating. If he is able to play, Portland benefit from having both of their top scorers as Damian Lillard leads the team and is 3rd in the league in scoring (32.3). For today’s matchup, he will going against a defense ranked 19th in points allowed to point-guards.