Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction NBA Picks 1/5/25

Oklahoma City Thunder (29-6) vs Boston Celtics (26-9)

Game Info: Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 3:30 pm (Paycom Center)

Betting Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder -2.5 --- Over/Under: 224 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder duke it out at the Paycom Center on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.

Boston Celtics 

The Boston Celtics have been in strong form as they've won four of their past five games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after blowing past the Rockets in a 109-86 road win on Friday. Derrick White led the team with 23 points on eight of 16 shooting, Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard scored 20 points each, while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Celtics shot 50 percent from the field and 19 of 39 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 37 points in the first quarter to jump out in front. The Celtics dominated the fourth quarter by 27-14 to make it a complete blowout in the end. 

Oklahoma City Thunder 

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on fire as they've reeled off 18 of their last 20 games and they will be eager to build on their current nine-game win streak. After taking down the Knicks in a 117-107 home win on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 33 points and seven assists, Jalen Williams added 20 points with five assists while Aaron Wiggins chipped in with 19 points on seven of nine shooting off the bench. As a team, the Thunder shot 51 percent from the field and 14 of 27 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start and quickly found themselves trailing by 14 points in the second quarter. The Thunder flipped the script and dominated the fourth quarter by 37-19 to run down the Knicks with time to spare. The Thunder will meet the Cavs after this game.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

  • The Thunder have won each of their last eight games at Paycom Center.
  • The Celtics have lost three of their last four road games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games following a win.
  • The Thunder have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against Celtics teams that held a winning record.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

  • The Celtics have won each of their last eight day games against Northwest Division opponents.
  • The Thunder have lost four of their last five day games at Paycom Center following a home win.
  • The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last five games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents.
  • The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four day games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

  • Each of the Thunder's last six day games against Atlantic Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
  • Seven of the Celtics' last eight games against the Thunder following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.

Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction

The Celtics could be short-handed again as Jaylen Brown is still listed as questionable, while the Thunder are still without Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso. The Celtics come into this game with plenty of momentum, and they are certainly tempting as the underdogs in this one given their star-studded lineup. The Thunder have been on an absolute tear lately, and they would love to stay hot with another win and cover in this one. You could make an argument for either side here, but I think the Thunder maintain their momentum with a statement win in this spot. 

Peter’s Pick Oklahoma City -2.5

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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