NBA 2024-2025: Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction

Boston Celtics

Home Team
54.3%
113.5 pts
VS

Oklahoma City Thunder

Away Team
45.7%
113.0 pts

Key Prediction Insights

The Boston Celtics are predicted to narrowly edge out the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 54.3% probability. The expected final score is a close 113.5 to 113.0 in favor of the Celtics. Expected to start for Boston are Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City's starting lineup includes Aaron Wiggins, Luguentz Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Game Analysis

The Boston Celtics come into this matchup on a hot streak, having won their last three games against formidable opponents such as the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers. This winning momentum is fueled by standout performances from Jayson Tatum, who leads the team with an average of 27.15 points per game, alongside Jaylen Brown's solid contribution of 23.28 points. The combination of Holiday's playmaking and Horford's presence adds depth to their offensive and defensive strategies. On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder have shown mixed results in their recent outings. After a commanding win against the Denver Nuggets, they faltered in a rematch but regained their form with a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the centerpiece of their offense, boasting an impressive average of 32.75 points per game, supported by the versatile play of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Both teams exhibit strong offensive ratings, with Boston's Tatum and Oklahoma City's Gilgeous-Alexander standing out. Defensively, the Celtics might have a slight edge with Tatum and Horford anchoring their efforts, while the Thunder's Holmgren brings a robust defensive rating to the table.

Final Prediction

The Celtics are favored to win due to their recent winning streak and the balanced scoring potential across their starting lineup. A key factor to watch will be the duel between Tatum and Gilgeous-Alexander, whose performances could heavily influence the outcome of this tightly contested game.