The Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder each want to kick off their 2024 schedule with a win, but only one of them will prevail in accomplishing that mission this Wednesday. Will the Celtics put Oklahoma City in its place? Or, will the Thunder strengthen their legitimacy as a title contender by beating Boston at home?

Catch this game live on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 9 AM, Manila time

Away: Boston Celtics (26-6/10-6 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Jrue Holiday
• Derrick White
• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum
• Kristaps Porzingis

There’s no denying that the Celtics are a heavyweight in the NBA this season, and they are proving that over and over again. They waved goodbye to the year 2023 with yet another victory, defeating the San Antonio Spurs on the road on Monday, 134-101, to extend their win streak to six games. 

What makes Boston tough to beat is that its offense and defense rarely disappoint at the same time. The Celtics are No. 1 in the league with a 121.1 adjusted offensive rating and third with a 111.3 adjusted defensive rating. They’re even seemingly surpassing expectations on the betting front, as Boston is above .500 with a 16-14-2 record against the spread so far in the 2023-24 NBA campaign. Moreover, they Celtics have covered the spread in seven of their last 10 games. 

Home: Oklahoma City Thunder (22-9/13-5 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Josh Giddey
• Luguentz Dort
• Jalen Williams
• Chet Holmgren

At this point of the season, the Thunder have already made clear that they’re a team that can no longer be taken lightly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company can victimize any team on any given day, especially when they’re playing host. The Thunder are 13-5 straight up and against the spread in home games so far this season. 

Oklahoma City will enter Wednesday’s game on a four-game win streak, a stretch that also saw the Thunder beat the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves and the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets. In their most recent outing, the Thunder wallopped the Brooklyn Nets at home on Monday, 124-108. Oklahoma City isn’t too far behind the Celtics in the adjusted net ratings. While Boston is leading the league in that department with a +9.8 mark, the Thunder are close behind sitting at third with a +6.4. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Celtics (-3.0) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (239.5) hits the Under.