Celtics vs. Jazz Prediction, Odds and Best NBA Prop Bets for Friday, March 21

The Celtics are huge road favorites against the Jazz on Friday night.
The Celtics are huge road favorites against the Jazz on Friday night. / Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics sit six games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 12 games left to play. That means they can ill-afford to lose many more games if they want a chance of leapfrogging Cleveland before the end of the regular season.

They've won three-three straightstraight games and are in a great spot to win a fourth tonight when they take on one of the worst teams the NBA has to offer, the Utah Jazz.

Celtics vs. Jazz Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via BetMGM Sportsbook

Spread

  • Celtics -14.5 (-110)
  • Jazz +14.5 (-110)

Moneyline

  • Celtics -1100
  • Jazz +675

Total

  • 227.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Celtics vs. Jazz How to Watch

  • Date: Friday, March 21
  • Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Delta Center
  • How to Watch (TV): Jazz+
  • Celtics record: 50-19
  • Jazz record: 16-54

Celtics vs. Jazz Injury Reports

Celtics Injury Report

  • Jaylen Brown, SG - Out
  • Xavier Tillman, F - Out

Jazz Injury Report

  • Jordan Clarkson, PG - Game Time Decision
  • KJ Martin, F - Out
  • Lauri Markkanen, PF - Out
  • Jaden Springer, G - Game Time Decision
  • Elijah Harkless, G - Out

Celtics vs. Jazz Best Prop Bet

  • Kristaps Porzingis OVER 1.5 Blocks (-110) via BetMGM

The Jazz are the most blocked team in the NBA. Teams are averaging 6.4 blocks against them per game, 0.5 more than the next worst team. To try to take advantage of that, I'm going to back the Celtics' top blocker, Porzingis to reach at least two blocks tonight. He's averaging 1.6 blocks per game this season.

Celtics vs. Jazz Prediction and Pick

In the latest edition of "Best NBA Bets Today", I broke down why I like the Jazz to cover this big spread:

It may seem crazy to back the Jazz to cover against the Celtics, but I think Utah has enough working on its favor to take the 14 points with the home team. No team in the NBA shoots the three ball more than the Celtics and one of the only bright spots for the Jazz has been their perimeter defense. Utah ranks 12th in opponent three-point field goal percentage, keeping teams to shooting 35.6% from beyond the arc. That number has improved to 30.1% over their last three games.

Utah's biggest weakness is turnovers, ranking dead last in turnovers per game at 16.8. Now, they face a Celtics team that isn't known for forcing turnovers. In fact, they rank 25th in opponent turnovers per game at just 13.0.

Those two factors are enough to lead me to believe Jazz can at least cover the spread on their home court tonight.

Pick: Utah +14.5 (-110) via BetMGM


As a new BetMGM user, you can now claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets when you create an account using BetMGM bonus code SI1500, deposit at least $10, and place a real money wager. If you lose your bet, BetMGM will return your entire stake as bonus bets.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.


Published
Iain MacMillan
IAIN MACMILLAN

Originally from Nova Scotia, Iain MacMillan is a senior editor covering betting, with a focus on NFL, NHL, and golf. He hosts the Bacon Bets Podcast and has been featured on VSIN, BetQL and Monumental Sports Network. He is a member of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association and his beloved Falcons and Maple Leafs break his heart on a yearly basis.