Celtics, Blazers Both Look to Boost Playoff Hopes

The Boston Celtics (28-26) and Portland Trail Blazers (31-22) will both look to boost their playoff hopes when they meet at the Moda Center on Tuesday night.

Boston has won three straight and five of six to move into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The C’s are tied with Charlotte in win percentage (.519) but New York is just a half-game back and Indiana is 1.5 games back.

Portland is in sixth place in the Western Conference, but has dropped three of four and four of six. The Blazers are two games up on Dallas and 3.5 games up on Memphis. Portland is a slight, 1-point home favorite in this matchup. The NBA Odds for this matchup of playoff contenders are live in the BetUS Online Sportsbook right now.

Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers

When: Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. ET

Where: Moda Center at Rose Quarter, Portland, OR

TV: NBC Sports Northwest, NBC Sports Boston

Radio: Rip City Radio 620, 98.5 The Sports Hub

NBA Odds

Boston +1

Portland -1

Total: 230

C’s Heating Up As Playoffs Approach

The Celtics have largely underachieved after reaching the conference finals a year ago. Now, with some desperation serving as a motivating force, Boston is heating up and looking to continue their move up the Eastern Conference standings.

The C’s come into this matchup fresh off a jaw-dropping 105-87 road win over Denver on Sunday. The C’s used an epic 31-3 fourth quarter run to put the Nuggets away after trailing the entire game.

Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 28 points and 10 rebounds two days after a recording career-high 53-point outing against Minnesota. Jaylen Brown added 20 points in the win. Boston was down 79-65 entering the final quarter.

“I think we just picked up the intensity,” Tatum said. “I think we communicated a lot better. We started switching a little bit more. I think that helped us out, too.

Boston averages 112.4 points per game (15th) while allowing 110.4 points per contest defensively (10th). The C’s have gone 11-16 on the road this season. Jayson Tatum is averaging a team-high 25.7 points per contest while Jaylen Brown averages 24.3 points per game.

Blazers Look to Get Back on Track

Portland is looking to get its act together after losing three of four and four of six following its four-game winning streak. The Blazers come into this matchup fresh off a humbling 107-98 home loss against Miami on Sunday.

Norman Powell and CJ McCollum each scored a team-high 17 points but Damian Lillard was limited to only 12 points on three of 10 shooting.

“To be honest, I thought we looked a step slow and they looked like a rested team,” coach Terry Stotts said. “I don’t say that very often.”

Portland averages a healthy 114.7 points per game (7th) but allows a generous 114.9 points per game defensively (26th). Damian Lillard averages a team-high 28.7 points and 7.6 assists per game. CJ McCollum averages 23.5 points per game. The Blazers have gone 16-11 at the Moda Center this season.

C’s Get in Done in the Great Northwest

Portland should be locked-in and focused on Tuesday night, but Boston is the only team in this matchup that plays any defense. The Blazers have gone 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a favorite, but Portland is also an uninspiring 0-6 ATS in their last six games against a team with a winning straight up record.

Boston is 4-0 ATS in their last four road games and a commanding 14-5 ATS in its last 19 road dates against Portland.

3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a win of more than 10 points. The Trailblazers are 0-6 ATS in their last six games against a team with a winning record and 11-4 ATS in their last 15 home games against a team with a losing road record.

More importantly, Boston is playing well, particularly on the defensive end of the floor where the C’s have limited three of their last six opponents to 99 points or less. Portland is mired in a mini slump and the 1-point spread is super manageable. Boston wins a flat-out thriller.