Two recent NBA champions will face off at Ball Arena on Wednesday in what could be a potential NBA Finals matchup. The Boston Celtics (28-19) are set to visit the Denver Nuggets (36-22) in the interconference showdown. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver.
Both teams could get strong performances from MVP candidates, depending on the injury status of Jaylen Brown, who sat out last night with a bruised knee.
Below, we'll preview the game and break down two of the top Celtics vs. Nuggets NBA Picks on PrizePicks for today, including for F Jaylen Brown and C Nikola Jokic.
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Celtics vs. Nuggets Prediction, Spread, Over/Under Today
The Boston Celtics (38-19) have exceeded expectations without Jayson Tatum, who is reportedly aiming to return to action this year after tearing his Achilles last postseason. His co-star Jaylen Brown has carried the team just fine during his time off.
Brown’s career-high averages of 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game have helped the Celtics climb to the second seed in the Eastern Conference. He’s not doing it alone in his breakout year, though.
Boston has been one of the league’s best 3-point shooting teams, ranking third in 3-pointers made per contest (15.4). The Celtics are also giving up a league-low 107.6 points per game on defense.
Generating stops will be crucial against one of the game’s most dynamic playmakers in Nuggets C Nikola Jokic tonight. Luckily, centers vs. the Celtics are averaging a combined 20.72 points per game this year (seventh best) and a league-low 46.94 fantasy points per game to the position, per FantasyPros.
Of course, Jokic is a different beast than your average center.
Jokic has been efficient as ever on offense and averages 28.8 points per game while shooting a career-high 42.1% from deep. He’s also dishing out a career-high 10.5 assists per contest.
The three-time MVP is the main reason the Nuggets lead the NBA in points per game (120.1), and solving him hasn’t been easy for any team. Joe Mazzulla and company are in for a challenge playing in elevation on the second night of a back-to-back.
Celtics vs. Nuggets Spread, Over/Under
The Nuggets are 4.5-point favorites, returning a 1.58x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Celtics will return a 2.32x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright as road underdogs.
- Spread: Nuggets -4.5 (1.96x payout)
- Over/Under: 228.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Celtics 2.32x | Nuggets 1.58x
Team Picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
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Celtics vs. Nuggets Injury Report for Wednesday, February 25
Let’s dive into the full Celtics vs. Nuggets injury report for Wednesday, via NBA.com.
Celtics Injury Report
- F Jayson Tatum (Achilles) – OUT
- F Jaylen Brown (knee) – day-to-day
Nuggets Injury Report
- G Julian Strawther (toe) – probable
- G Jamal Murray (hamstring) – probable
- G Jalen Pickett (knee) – OUT
- F Peyton Watson (hamstring) – OUT
- F Aaron Gordon (hamstring) – OUT
Celtics vs. Nuggets Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to help you make your Celtics vs. Nuggets prediction against the spread today on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Boston is 7-3 against the spread as a road underdog.
- Denver is 8-10 against the spread as the home favorite.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in five straight away games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in three consecutive home games.
- The Celtics turn the ball over a league-low 11.6 times per contest; the Nuggets are third in the same category, at 12.2 per game.
- Boston ranks sixth in defensive efficiency, while Denver sits at 23rd.
Celtics vs. Nuggets Picks for PrizePicks on Wednesday, 2/25
Here are the top Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets picks to target for Wednesday, February 25, on PrizePicks. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks are headlined by All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Nikola Jokic.
Celtics F Jaylen Brown vs. Nuggets: 40.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- As noted above, Jaylen Brown missed Tuesday's game vs. the Suns with a knee injury. He is considered day-to-day, and may not play in this game; if he's out, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard should soak up the usage.
- Brown has averaged 47.8 Pts+Rebs+Asts over his previous seven road games.
- The former Cal star averages 30.4 points per game on the road this season.
- The Celtics’ leading scorer posts 37.1 true shot attempts per 100 possessions, according to databallr.
- Brown is averaging season highs in rebounds per game (8.6) in February.
Nuggets C Nikola Jokic vs. Celtics Projection: 22.5 Rebs+Asts
- Nikola Jokic has snared at least 14 boards in seven of his previous 10 games.
- According to databallr, the three-time MVP generates 25.7 assist points per 75 possessions.
- Jokic averages 11.2 assists per game at home.
- Jokic has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in his last four games vs. the Celtics, dating back to 2023.
- He's also averaged 10.1 assists in those games.
- Only Hawks F Jalen Johnson has recorded more Rebs+Asts (968) than the 31-year-old this season.
Make Your Celtics vs. Nuggets Prediction on PrizePicks
The Celtics are in the second half of a back-to-back, visiting the Nuggets at Ball Arena on Wednesday in what should give us an exciting game between two contenders.
Whether Jaylen Brown can improve his MVP case against Nikola Jokic remains to be seen. Regardless, it’s shaping up to be an exciting interconference battle.
You can make Celtics vs. Nuggets picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
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