The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers close out Saturday’s NBA slate in an intriguing matchup.
The pregame narrative: Los Angeles’ recent play makes this game one fans should be excited for. The Clippers have won their last six games leading up to this contest, largely blowing out the competition in the process. Boston, meanwhile, has won six of its last seven outings.
Check out my Celtics vs. Clippers SGP predictions for Jan. 3, featuring prop bets on Jaylen Brown and Anfernee Simons.
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Celtics vs. Clippers SGP
Parlay: Brown under 30.5 points | Simons over 10.5 points | Under 224.5 points (+300)
Brown under 30.5 points (-150): Brown’s season-long average hovers right around this mark (29.5), but I’m skeptical of his chances of getting near it tonight.
The Celtics’ small forward isn’t topping this mark with much regularity ahead of this contest. Brown has notched 30 points or fewer in seven of his last 10 games.
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Additionally, this isn’t a plus matchup for Brown. Los Angeles has been tough on small forwards this season, surrendering the 10th-fewest points per game to the position (22.26), per Fantasy Pros.
Brown is also coming off one of his worst three-point shooting efforts of the season, going 1-for-9 from beyond the arc against the San Antonio Spurs.
NBA SGP legs
Simons over 10.5 points (-162): I do expect, however, Simons to clear his point total.
Simons is averaging 13.1 points per game this season, meaning this total is well within his reach.
The point guard is getting 23.9 minutes per game this season, but he’s averaged 29.0 minutes per game across his last two contests.
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Naturally, he topped this total in both those games.
Looking even further back, Simons has recorded 11-plus points in six of his last seven performances.
The Celtics are a tough matchup for opposing PGs, surrendering the fifth-fewest points per game (24.26), but I expect him to still get by this manageable total.
Under 224.5 points (-152): Two of the NBA’s better under teams should play to a low-scoring game:
- L.A. is tied for the eighth-best under percentage in the NBA (54.6%).
- Boston is also tied for the eighth-best under rate in the NBA.
The Clippers have gone under this total plenty ahead of this contest. The under on 224.5 points has hit in each of their last four contests.
Boston, meanwhile, is a pretty pedestrian offensive squad. It is 14th in points per game this season (117.0).
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Celtics vs. Clippers predictions made at 2:19 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2026.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.