Celtics vs. Jazz Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Feb. 9, 2021

By Michael Crosson

VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will take center-stage in Tuesday night’s nightcap with the Boston Celtics set to host the Utah Jazz on TNT.

VI is back on the hardwood, getting you ready with another slate of Best Bets and Game Previews to help handicap all the evening’s top matchups.

Celtics vs. Jazz Betting Resources

Matchup: Non-Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Vivint Smart Home Arena
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021
Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

Betting Odds - Celtics vs. Jazz

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Utah -4.5
Money-Line: Utah -180 Boston +150
Total: 220.5

The Jazz come into Tuesday night’s matchup as a 5-point favorite – marking the fifth time that Boston has been listed as an ‘underdog’ in their last six games.

While the ‘over-under’ for this contest currently sits at a low bar of OU 220.5, considering both of these teams most recent matchups stayed ‘under’ 200 total points.

Jaylen Brown and the Celtics continue their road swing on Tuesday night against the red-hot Jazz. (AP)

Celtics vs. Jazz Current Form-Last Game

Utah heads into Tuesday’s matchup as the hottest team in the NBA by a significant margin, having won 15 of their last 16 games since January 8th and the only team nearing their record across that span being the Lakers at 12-3.

The Jazz most recent contest resulted in an 8-point win over the Pistons, as Donovan Mitchell managed to salvage a 9-25 night from the field by knocking down 4-9 three-point attempts to seal Utah’s fourth consecutive victory (27 points).

While on the other hand, the Celtics will finally conclude a brutal seven-game stretch of matchups against Western Conference opponents on Tuesday night (6 away) – after already dropping four of the six non-conference matchups during this makeshift, West Coast road trip so far.

Boston’s most recent affair resulted in a 9-point loss to the Suns in Phoenix, as Jaylen Brown sat out for a second straight contest with knee soreness while the Celtics fell apart at the seams offensively (35% FGA).

Celtics vs. Jazz Head-to-Head

Mar. 6, 2020 - Jazz 99 at Celtics 94, Utah +1.5, Under 219
Feb. 26, 2020 - Celtics 114 at Jazz 103, Boston +5, Under 218

Boston and Utah split a pair of games during last year’s regular season, with neither of the matchups between these two teams eclipsing 220 total points.

The first matchup was a duel between opposing superstars as Tatum and Mitchell both went for 33+ points on a combined 53.8% from the field in an 11-point Celtics win.

But the second time around was more along the lines of a defensive slugfest – with both teams failing to crack 100 points in a 5-point Jazz victory.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Boston Celtics Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 12-10 SU, 12-10 ATS, 11-11 OU
Road: 7-7 SU, 6-8 ATS, 7-7 OU

The Celtics have now spent eight of their last ten games on the road, which has led to a rollercoaster ride of results to say the least – going 4-6 SU and 5-5 ATS during that stint, including a 1-point loss to the Lakers and two gutsy performances leading to wins over the Clippers and Warriors this past week.

Boston could potentially be short handed in the scoring department for another contest with Marcus Smart expected to miss at least a couple more weeks with a calf strain and Brown still listed as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup with knee soreness.

If Brown is forced to miss a third straight contest, look for Jeff Teague, Carsen Edwards, and Payton Pritchard to continue assuming expanded roles in Boston’s rotation.

Utah Jazz Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 19-5 SU, 17-7 ATS, 10-14 OU
Home: 9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS, 4-7 OU

Utah heads into Tuesday night’s matchup boasting the best record in the NBA against the spread, having won and covered in 14 of its last 16 contests, with their only losses ATS across that stretch coming in a SU loss to the Nuggets and a 7-point win over Detroit.

The key to the Jazz’ success so far this season has been their defense – ranking 3rd in the NBA in points allowed per game (105.7) and 2nd in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (43.8%).

While on the other side of the floor, still ranking 8th in the NBA in points scored per game (114.2) and 4th in effective field goal percentage (56%).

Key Injuries

Boston Celtics

SG Jaylen Brown: Knee - Questionable
PG Marcus Smart: Calf - Out

Utah Jazz

PG Mike Conley: Hamstring - Questionable

Mike Conley exited Utah’s victory over Detroit this past Friday with hamstring tightness and still hasn’t been able to get out on the floor since. If he is forced to sit out for a third consecutive contest on Tuesday, look for Joe Ingles to make his fourth start of the season.

Player Prop Best Bet

Donovan Mitchell – Over 3.5 Made Three-Point Attempts

Mitchell heads into Tuesday night’s matchup having made four or more three-point attempts in three out of Utah’s last four games, with his lowest total of successful long balls across that stretch coming during a contest in which he still managed to knock down 3-5 shots from long range.

I’ll back Mitchell to go ‘over’ again here, as I believe the Jazz will need to shoot relatively well from deep to topple a tough interconference opponent in this game.