Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 02/25/26

The Boston Celtics enter this marquee matchup as one of the hottest teams in basketball, winning 9 of their last 10 games and stringing together dominant defensive performances. In six of their last 12 contests, they’ve held opponents under 100 points — a testament to their perimeter discipline, rim protection, and ability to control tempo. Boston continues to rank near the top of the league in defensive efficiency while pairing that with balanced scoring and strong three point shooting. From a betting perspective, they’ve thrived in these spots: the Celtics are 10-5 ATS as underdogs this season and an impressive 6-3 ATS on the second night of back to backs. That speaks to their depth and conditioning, as well as their ability to execute late in tight games. Even on the road in altitude, this group has shown it can stay composed and dictate stretches with half court execution.

The Denver Nuggets have also played at a high level since the return of Nikola Jokic, with their offense humming at over 120 points per game during recent stretches. However, inconsistency has crept in defensively, and they’re coming off a frustrating loss to Golden State in a game where the Warriors were without Stephen Curry — a missed opportunity that raises questions about focus. Denver has been strong ATS with two or more days of rest, so something has to give in this matchup of positive trends. Still, Boston looks like the more cohesive and locked in unit right now. In what should be a competitive, playoff style game, grabbing the points with the hotter team provides value.

Celtics vs Nuggets Prediction: Celtics +3.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +2.5