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Wizards vs Celtics Play-In Tournament Picks and Odds

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in NBA Basketball

Updated May 17, 2021 · 12:07 PM PDT

Jayson Tatum
Can Jayson Tatum lead the Celtics past the surging Wizards for the 7th seed? (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • Following Sunday’s win over Charlotte, the Washington Wizards will meet the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Play-In
  • Boston is without Jaylen Brown (wrist) for the remainder of the season
  • Read below for the latest Wizards vs Celtics odds, betting preview and a pick

The Washington Wizards completed a late-season turn around with their win over the Hornets on Sunday. Washington earned a place in the top half of the East’s Play-In tournament, and a chance to advance to the seven seed if they get the better of the Celtics on Tuesday night.

Boston is only narrowly favored after a difficult run to end the season. There’s no Jaylen Brown (wrist) for the Celtics with the All-Star wing out for the remainder of the season. Washington has Bradley Beal available after he returned for Sunday’s game. Thomas Bryant and Deni Avdija are the only absentees for Scott Brooks, with both players ruled out for the year.

Wizards vs Celtics Odds

Team Spread at FanDuel Moneyline Total Points
Washington Wizards +1.5 (-108) +104 Over 233 (-110)
Boston Celtics -1.5 (-114) -122 Under 233 (-110)

Odds as of May 17th

Red-Hot Wizards

Four teams in the Association have a better net rating than the Wizards over the last 15 games. Inspired by the triple-double mastery of Russell Westbrook, Washington turned their season on its head in the closing weeks. Westbrook was the leader, willing them to wins even when Bradley Beal was short of full health, but there was great complementary play from others too, including Robin Lopez and Daniel Gafford.

It’s the defense that really stood out. This roster was always going to be competent offensively. Their early season performances on the defensive end were horrendous, however, making it all the more remarkable that they sit 10th in defensive rating across the last 15 games.

Rui Hachimura has a massive role to play on that end in the play-in game. Hachimura will likely get the most possessions guarding Jayson Tatum. Tatum had several historic performances throughout this season, and has regained his best form following a difficult time with COVID-19. Only Steph Curry, Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard scored more per game over the final 15 games of the season.

Washington is 20-18 since the All-Star break. The Celtics are below .500 over that period, and sit middle of the pack in pace. The Wizards will look to run at every possible opportunity, and given the playoff-like circumstances, it will be interesting to see if Boston is able to slow the pace.

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Mediocre Celtics

Aside from the occasional massive game from Tatum, the Celtics have been a thoroughly average team this year. They are 10th in offense. The defense, which has been the foundation for Brad Stevens, is only 14th on the year. Missing Jaylen Brown, Boston is a talented, but flawed group.

Kemba Walker scored 36 last time out. That was his best game of the season, and he enjoyed productive games against Orlando and Chicago recently, but there’s no guarantees for which Walker the Celtics are going to get on Tuesday. Too often he has looked a step or two slow. The Celtics need Walker somewhere near his best in Brown’s absence.

Washington are sixth in offense over the past 10. With the pace they play at, the shooting of Davis Bertans and their superstar backcourt, there are legitimate concerns about Boston’s firepower if Walker is subpar. The Wizards will force it to be a high-scoring game, and the Celtics need scoring to supplement Tatum.

Wizards Get It Done

Forced to chase the game late on against Charlotte, the Wizards upped their defensive intensity and got timely fourth quarter offense from Beal and Lopez. The Celtics remain vulnerable in the paint, and Robert Williams has only played in one of the last six games. Boston was probably being ultra-cautious with the injury prone big man, but his availability is far from guaranteed. Lopez and Gafford are good options for Scott Brooks.

The Celtics might just get overpowered by the Wizards. Barring a massive game from Tatum, Boston does not have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with Washington over 48 end-to-end minutes.

Finishing the year with a 17-6 run, the Wizards are a good bet to win this straight up, and set up a tantalizing first round matchup with the Nets.

  • Pick: Washington Wizards moneyline (+104)
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