Celtics vs Clippers prediction NBA · Saturday, January 9
At a glance
The LA Clippers (1-3) host the Boston Celtics (3-1) on Saturday, January 9 at 10:30 PM ET at Intuit Dome in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Celtics a 73% chance to win and projects a 115-107 score (Celtics – Clippers), about 222 total points. This season, the Clippers are 1-1 at home and the Celtics are 0-1 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-3 for the Clippers and 3-1 for the Celtics (current streaks: Clippers L3, Celtics W3). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 26% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Devin Carter (Celtics), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers), Max Strus (Clippers), Brandon Ingram (Clippers), Bradley Beal (Clippers) and Jordan Miller (Clippers). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
The Celtics start with a clear edge. The model projects Clippers 107 – 115 Celtics, a margin of about 7.5 points in favor of the Celtics and a total around 222 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Clippers will be without Yanic Konan Niederhauser or Max Strus (and 3 others). The Celtics will be without Devin Carter. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (+0.4 vs +6.6 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Clippers need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Celtics' offense (116.1 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
- The Celtics' defense allows clearly fewer points (108.3 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
BOSLAC
Players to watch
Celtics
Jayson TatumF · #028.0pts / gameJayson TatumF · #08.0assistsJayson TatumF · #06.2reboundsClippers
Darius GarlandG · #1021.5pts / gameDarius GarlandG · #106.5assists
Rui HachimuraF · #286.0reboundsRecent form
BOS
125-120 OTL
121-113W
107-103W
134-99W
125-124 OTLAC
122-110W
121-96L
125-117L
108-101L103-87
BOS
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| BOS | LAC | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1 | Record | 1-3 |
| 116.1 | Points scored / game | 112.0 |
| 108.3 | Points allowed / game | 111.5 |
| +6.6 | Adjusted margin / game | +0.4 |
| W3 | Current streak | L3 |
| 3-1 | Last 10 games | 1-3 |
| 0-1 road | Home / road record | 1-1 home |
| 56-26 (+7.7) | Last season | 42-40 (+1.1) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Celtics
Injury report Clippers
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.