Warriors vs Celtics Prediction 20 January 2025

🔊What kind of basketball will Golden State and Boston showcase in the upcoming clash? It must be acknowledged that both teams are not in their best form. While the reigning NBA champion alternates between wins and losses, the Warriors are hovering around the tenth spot in the Western Conference standings. We recommend checking out our prediction before placing a bet.

Head-to-Head

In their head-to-head encounters, the teams are evenly matched. Over a stretch of 44 games, Golden State and Boston have achieved an equal number of victories (22 each). The last meeting, which took place in early November, was also very close in terms of results. The Warriors managed to defeat their opponent on the road by a 6-point margin (118-112), despite initially being considered a clear underdog.

Golden State Warriors

It is quite unexpected to see Golden State occupying such a low position in the Western Conference standings. The team boasts a strong roster by NBA standards, yet it struggles to consistently delight its fans with victories. Recent matches have not been favorable for them either. The Warriors suffered 4 losses in 7 games, failing even against Toronto (101-104). The previous game against Washington (122-114) also didn't go well. Golden State finished the first half trailing by 7 points (53-60) and only managed to pull themselves together after the halftime break.

Boston Celtics

What is happening with Boston? This question worries not only the fans of this club but also all basketball enthusiasts. The reigning NBA champion is playing far from championship-level basketball, alternating between successful games and disastrous ones. Like Golden State, the Celtics suffered 4 losses in their last 7 games. For instance, after a crushing victory over a depleted Orlando (121-94), Joe Mazzulla's team surprisingly lost to Atlanta at home (115-119 in overtime). Notably, Boston outperformed their opponent in all key statistical parameters (28.8% vs. 24.3% in three-point shooting percentage, 17-13 in offensive rebounds, 13-9 in steals, 14-17 in turnovers), yet they still couldn't secure the win.

Editorial Prediction

According to sportsbooks, Boston is the clear favorite in the upcoming clash. However, we find it difficult to understand the logic behind these odds, especially considering the reigning NBA champion's instability in recent matches. The most logical option would be to go with a total points over (221.5). Firstly, both teams are playing quite productively this season. For example, the Celtics average 117.5 points per game (fifth-best), while Golden State averages 111.4 points (eighteenth-best). Secondly, neither Boston nor the Warriors can boast about their reliable defense in previous matches. Both teams have started giving their opponents more space and opportunities on their side of the court. Moreover, this total has been surpassed in the last 5 head-to-head encounters.