Betting tips from AI for Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets, 08 January 2026.

Bet recommendation: back Boston Celtics at 1.28. Denver is a patchwork crew — Nikola Jokic is out, Jamal Murray questionable and Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Tim Hardaway Jr. sidelined — so Denver’s normally elite 124+ PPG attack will be gutted and travel issues magnify the damage (3.90).

Boston’s defense (2nd in NBA at 110.5 PPG allowed), a four-game win streak, TD Garden advantage and a 20-16 historical edge set the tone. AI models (71% and 70%) and FOX’s 120-115 projection back a gritty Boston win; I’d place $1 on the Celtics to take this one and control tempo.

The Boston Celtics are poised for a decisive victory against a severely hobbled Denver Nuggets squad. Denver faces an unprecedented injury crisis, with MVP Nikola Jokic sidelined, Jamal Murray questionable, and several other key players including Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun out. This depletion of talent will severely test their depth against a red-hot Celtics team.

Boston is riding a four-game win streak, showcasing a suffocating defense that ranks second in the NBA. Analysts at Doc's Sports are confident in Boston's stingy defense at TD Garden, anticipating a gritty win. Jaylen Brown's recent 29.6 PPG explosion, as highlighted by FOX Sports, combined with the Celtics' 14-1 ATS streak when topping 118 points, paints a clear picture of their offensive prowess.

AI models from Bueon and Forebet give the Celtics a commanding 71% and 70% win probability respectively, citing their home dominance. While the Nuggets boast the league's top offense, their leaky backcourt will struggle without their stars. The odds reflect this disparity, with Boston favored at 1.28. Betting on the Celtics here isn't just about the numbers; it's about recognizing a team at full strength facing an opponent decimated by misfortune.

The Celtics are overwhelming favorites at 1.28 for good reason. Denver's injury crisis is catastrophic - Jokic's absence alone is devastating, but with Murray questionable and multiple rotation players sidelined, the Nuggets are essentially fielding a skeleton crew. Boston's defensive prowess (2nd in NBA allowing just 110.5 PPG) should smother Denver's depleted offense.

Jaylen Brown's recent 29.6 PPG tear gives Boston a clear offensive edge, especially with their impressive 14-1 ATS record when scoring 118+. The Celtics' four-game win streak demonstrates their current form, and their historical 20-16 head-to-head advantage adds another layer of confidence.

While Denver normally boasts the league's top offense, their firepower is severely compromised without Jokic orchestrating. The roaring TD Garden crowd will further energize a Celtics team that's been nearly unbeatable at home. Even at 1.28, Boston represents the smart money in what should be a comfortable victory.

The Boston Celtics are set to defend their home court against a battered Denver Nuggets squad in this NBA showdown at TD Garden. With the Celtics on a scorching four-game win streak and boasting the league's second-stingiest defense at just 110.5 PPG allowed, they're primed to stifle Denver's high-flying offense, which averages over 124 PPG but has shown cracks on the road.

Denver's injury woes are a game-changer: Nikola Jokic is sidelined, Jamal Murray is questionable, and key pieces like Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are out, leaving their depth severely tested. Boston, meanwhile, rides the hot hand of Jaylen Brown, who's exploding for 29.6 PPG, and their 14-1 ATS record when scoring over 118 points screams value here.

Head-to-head history favors the Celtics (20-16 edge), including a gritty 110-103 home win in their last meeting. Analysts from Doc's Sports and AI models like Bueon (71% win probability) see Boston grinding out a victory, much like FOX Sports' projected 120-115 thriller. At 1.28 odds, the juice is steep, but with Denver at 3.90, this screams a profitable home bet—back Boston to cash in on their dominance.

The Boston Celtics are riding a four-game win streak with stifling defense, ranked second in the NBA. AI models from Bueon and Forebet back them with 70%+ win odds, while Denver's injury nightmare—Nikola Jokic out and Jamal Murray questionable—cripples their depth.

Despite the Nuggets' top offense, their leaky backcourt and road vulnerabilities clash with Boston's home dominance and historical edge. With TD Garden's energy and the Celtics' 1.28 odds, a gritty win is the smart play for bettors.

The Boston Celtics enter this matchup as heavy favorites with odds of 1.28, and for good reason. Their recent dominance at TD Garden, coupled with a stifling defense that allows just 110.5 points per game (2nd in the NBA), sets the stage for another gritty performance. Denver’s high-powered offense, leading the league at over 124 points per game, faces a significant challenge without Nikola Jokic, who is sidelined, and Jamal Murray, who remains questionable. The absence of key players like Aaron Gordon and Tim Hardaway Jr. further weakens Denver's depth.

Boston’s current form speaks volumes. They’re riding a four-game win streak, including an impressive 115-101 victory over the Bulls, and have covered the spread in 14 of their last 15 games when scoring more than 118 points. FOX Sports projects a tight 120-115 win for the Celtics, but given Denver's injury woes, the margin could widen. Jaylen Brown has been electric, averaging 29.6 points per game, and his leadership will be pivotal against a Nuggets team struggling defensively.

Historically, Boston holds a 20-16 edge in head-to-head matchups, with their last meeting ending in a 110-103 home win. AI models from Bueon and Forebet reinforce this trend, giving Boston win probabilities of 71% and 70%, respectively. With Denver’s vulnerabilities amplified by injuries and Boston’s relentless home-court advantage, backing the Celtics at 1.28 seems like a calculated risk worth taking.