NBA Picks Wizards @ Celtics

The Washington Wizards (6-24 SU, 13-17 ATS, 12-17-1 O/U) had their modest two-game winning streak in the BetUS Sportsbook snapped in their 97-85 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday.

The good news for BetUS NBA basketball sports betting enthusiasts that like to back the Wizards is the fact that the Washington managed to cover the spread as a 14.5-point road underdog.

The Boston Celtics (28-5 SU, 18-15 ATS, 14-18-1 O/U) are back at home following an unsuccessful four-game road trip in which they lost three times, including a 91-86 loss to the Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday. Boston also failed to cover the spread for the third time in four outings as a 6.5-point road favorite in their loss to the improving Blazers.

Washington will likely be without its leading scorer in all-star forward Caron Butler who has been out of the lineup with a sprained ankle.

The Wizards got 22 points and 12 rebounds in their loss to the Hornets from veteran all-star forward Antawn Jamison who has scored a total of 81 points in three games without Butler.

"He plays very, very hard," Washington interim coach Ed Tapscott said of Jamison. "I thought he brought his A game, as he usually does. He just didn't have enough from the rest of our guys. A lot of guys played hard, but we just couldn't get accomplished what we wanted to get accomplished."

The Celtics have struggled with their offense in dropping three of four on the road and shot just 40.3 percent from the field against the Blazers. The Celtics got a team-high 28 points from Paul Pierce in the loss but almost nothing from their normally sound reserves.

"Down the stretch we just made bad plays," said Boston guard Ray Allen, who was just 2-of-11 from the field. "That's been the theme of the last three games we've lost."

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.

The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.

The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

The Celtics are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.

The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.

The Under is 4-0 in Wizards last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

The Over is 4-0-1 in Celtics last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Boston.

The Wizards are 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Boston.

The Road team is 19-7 ATS in the last 26 meetings.

NBA Odds

Washington Wizards +14½ -110

Boston Celtics -14½ -110

Over 189 -110

Under 189 -110

Analysis: The Wizards were one of just six visiting teams to win in Boston last season, but BetUS NBA sports betting buffs don’t have to worry about that happening tonight. I’m fully expecting the C’s to hand the Wizard another emphatic spanking similar to their 122-88 road win over the Wiz on Dec. 11.

Not only are the Wizards hurting with injuries to two of its top three players, but the Celtics will likely be in a bad mood following their west coast swing.

NBA Free Picks: Celtics -14 ½ Points/Over 189 Total Points