Celtics vs. Timberwolves Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 23 (Boston Snaps Skid at Home)

Celtics vs. Timberwolves Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 23 (Boston Snaps Skid at Home)

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Celtics vs. Timberwolves Game Info

  • Date: Friday, December 23, 2022
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Venue: TD Garden -- Boston, Massachusetts
  • Coverage: NBCS-BOS and BSN

The Boston Celtics will try to break out of their funk on Friday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Celtics have hit their first rough patch of the season, losing five of their last six games and slipping to second in the Eastern Conference.

The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have won three of their last four games to climb back to .500. Can they stay hot in Beantown on Friday night? Or will Boston get back on track with a home win?

Celtics vs. Timberwolves Odds & Spread

Celtics vs Timberwolves Betting Information
Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline
Celtics -8.5 - - - - - -375 300
  • All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
  • Moneyline: MIN: (+370) | BOS: (-480)
  • Spread: MIN: +10 (-110) | BOS: -10 (-110)
  • Total: 229.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

Despite their recent slide, the Celtics still enter this game as heavy home favorites against the Timberwolves on both the spread and moneyline. This game also features a total of 229.5 points, which is about average compared to the rest of Friday's totals.

Celtics vs. Timberwolves Betting Trends

  • The Celtics put together a 43-37-2 ATS record last year.
  • The Timberwolves covered every time (3-0) as underdogs of 8.5 points or greater last year.
  • The Celtics and their opponents combined to hit the over 41 out of 82 times last season.
  • There were 49 Timberwolves games (out of 82) that went over the total last year.

Celtics vs. Timberwolves Prediction & Pick

The Celtics' recent struggles can largely be attributed to poor shooting. They're a team that has lived and died by the long ball all season, and the threes haven't been falling as much recently.

That shouldn't be an issue against the Timberwolves, however, who are allowing the fifth-highest three-point percentage to opponents in the NBA (37.4%). Accordingly, look for Boston's shooters to have more success tonight.

Better luck from behind the arc should help rejuvenate an offense that has scored fewer than 100 points in two of its last five games. Even with their recent slump, the Celtics still rank second in points per game and first in offensive rating, so it's only a matter of time before their shots start falling again.

Minnesota has a solid offense as well (11th in offensive rating) and should be able to keep things close, but ultimately Boston will come out on top.

Final Score Prediction: Celtics: 117 | Timberwolves: 112

Celtics vs. Timberwolves Best Bet

The Celtics should win, but asking them to win by double digits is a lot given their recent struggles. Only one of Boston's last eight games has been a win by 10+ points, and it's hard to trust them to dominate after losing four straight home games.

The Timberwolves are playing well right now and have enough offensive firepower to keep up with the Celtics, which should prevent them from getting blown out. Take the points with Minnesota.

Bet: Minnesota Timberwolves +10 (-110)

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