Celtics vs Nuggets Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Picks Today (3/7): Boston Gets Revenge

Today’s Celtics vs. Nuggets prediction and NBA best bets are brought to you by Bovada. Bovada is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA to the UFC and everything in between.

The Boston Celtics (48-13) take on the Denver Nuggets (42-20) at Ball Arena in the second of two NBA on TNT national broadcasts scheduled for Thursday, March 7.

Both teams could use a win after suffering losses on Tuesday. The Celtics blew a 22-point lead in their 105-104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Nuggets couldn’t complete the comeback against the Phoenix Suns, falling 117-107 in overtime.

Even if this is the final regular-season meeting between these juggernauts, don’t be surprised if they run things back this spring. They’re currently the top 2023-24 NBA Championship contenders on Bovada Sportsbook with Boston being the current +235 favorite while Denver sits comfortably in second at +450 odds.

But before we get to a potential championship matchup, we must first get through tonight’s showdown. Let’s dive into my Celtics vs. Nuggets betting predictions and best bets.

Celtics vs Nuggets NBA Betting Tonight (3/7)

Celtics vs Nuggets Matchup Information

• Matchup: Boston Celtics (48-13, 19-10 Away) vs. Denver Nuggets (42-20, 24-6 Home)
• Venue & Location: Ball Arena (Denver, CO)
• Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024
• Game Time: 10 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Celtics vs. Nuggets: TNT

Nuggets vs Celtics Odds & Spread

Nuggets vs. Celtics odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Thursday, March 7 at 10:21 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Celtics vs Nuggets Spread

• Boston Celtics -1 (-105)
• Denver Nuggets +1 (-115)

Nuggets vs Celtics Over/Under

• Over 220 Points (-110)
• Under 220 Points (-110)

Celtics vs Nuggets Moneyline

• Boston Celtics (-110)
• Denver Nuggets (-110)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Celtics vs. Nuggets betting picks at Bovada

---

Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks today? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 season game.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
• NBA news, futures betting, and best bets predictions
• How to bet on the NBA
• 2023-24 NBA Finals Prediction & Dark Horse Pick
• 2024 NBA MVP Odds & Picks

---

Celtics vs Nuggets NBA Betting Trends

• Boston is 8-1 straight up in its last nine road games.
• Denver is 13-6 straight up in its last 19 home games vs. Boston.
• Boston is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games vs. Denver.
• Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games played on a Thursday.
• The total hit the Under in four of Boston’s last five games.
• The total hit the Under in five of Denver’s last six home games.

Celtics vs Nuggets Prediction & NBA Picks Today (3/7): Potential Finals Preview?

As previously mentioned, tonight’s contest is the 2023-24 regular season’s final Celtics vs. Nuggets clash. They first collided on Jan. 19 at TD Garden as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 69 points to lead Denver to a close-fought 102-100 win against Boston.

Assuming that both sides give it their all, we should be in for another terrific clash this evening. The Celtics have one of the best offenses in the NBA, ranking first in points, 10th in field-goal percentage, first in threes made, fourth in three-point percentage, and first in average scoring margin.

Although their offense isn’t nearly as potent, the Nuggets make up for it on the defensive side of the ball. Denver surrenders the seventh-fewest points on the eighth-worst field-goal percentage while limiting the competition to the second-fewest threes made per game.

Having said that, the Celtics rank first in offensive efficiency and second in defensive efficiency whereas the Nuggets sit seventh and 10th, respectively.

NBA enthusiasts are always in for a treat whenever the Celtics and Nuggets go head-to-head.  

When it comes to the injury report, the Nuggets sport a clean bill of health. Their charge will be led by Nikola Jokic, who’s currently Bovada’s -160 NBA MVP favorite as he averages 25.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists through 60 games.

The Celtics, meanwhile, could be without Jaylen Brown, who will be a game-time decision as he deals with a lower-back injury. Although being without Brown isn’t ideal, it might not phase Boston too much as Joe Mazzulla’s team has won each of the last seven games that the three-time NBA All-Star has missed.

But regardless of who does or doesn’t play, there might not be a ton of points on the board. On top of these squads boasting terrific defensive play, the Under is 4-1 across Boston’s last five games while being 5-1 in Denver’s six previous home contests.

That’s without bringing up how the Under is 7-3 across the last 10 Celtics-Nuggets matchups. The two sides averaged a combined 213.0 PPG in those contests, finishing with fewer than 220 seven times.

Even if Jaylen Brown (left) can’t play tonight, the Celtics have enough talent to win. 

Tonight’s game is going to be a great one between two of the league’s best teams. With that in mind, I’m going with the Celtics on the road. Let’s not forget that Boston was on an 11-game winning streak before collapsing against the Cavaliers, blowing out teams by as many as 52 points. I’m not saying that they’ll destroy the Nuggets tonight, but it’s important to remember just how good the Celtics can be.

With this game being a pick ’em situation, it’s best to take the Celtics on the spread since those odds are slightly better than the moneyline.

Celtics vs Nuggets NBA Prediction: BOS wins

Best Celtics vs Nuggets NBA Bet: BOS -1 (-105)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Celtics vs. Nuggets NBA picks today over at Bovada

Best Celtics vs Nuggets NBA Prop Bet (3/7)

You know who loves playing against the Celtics? Nikola Jokic. That’s why I’m taking him to finish with Over 24.5 points for the best Celtics vs. Nuggets player prop tonight.

Jokic is averaging an impressive 28.6 points across his last eight meetings with the Celtics, finishing with the Over five times — including in each of the last three clashes. The Over is also 7-4 across his last 11 home games despite the Serbian superstar “only” averaging 22.9 PPG during that stretch.

As he comes off a 25-point effort in his latest outing, look for Jokic to put up even more points tonight.

Best Celtics vs Nuggets Prop Bet (BetOnline): Nikola Jokic o24.5 Total Points (-145)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this Celtics vs. Nuggets prop at BetOnline

---

Still Here? Check Out the Betting News Store

If you’re planning on betting like a winner, you may as well look like one, too. In that case, check out the official Betting News store!

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, the official store has a plethora of items available from hoodies and t-shirts to mugs for your Afternoon Betspresso.

Your Morning Joe would look really nice in our new BA$KET CA$E mug 😈☕️

Cop yourself one ⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rtDEAWWwVo

— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) February 2, 2024