Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions December 28th 2025

Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions – December 28

The Boston Celtics head to the Pacific Northwest for a late-night matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Sunday, December 28. Tipoff is set for 10:00 PM ET. The Celtics (24-7) enter as 7-point road favorites, while Portland (10-21) continues to fight through a transitional year with a young roster and inconsistent offense.

Boston has looked like a title contender all season, and they won’t take games like this lightly. Portland is still figuring things out, especially on offense, and has struggled to stay competitive against elite teams. With the total set at 229.5, this game has the ingredients for a moderate-paced, defensively tilted outcome.

Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers Odds

These are the current betting lines for this interconference clash. Check the latest NBA odds for updates throughout the day.

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Boston Celtics	-263	-7.0 (-108)	U 229.5
Portland Trail Blazers	+219	+7.0 (-114)	O 229.5

Boston Celtics Betting Form

Boston has been the most consistent team in the NBA so far, and they’re getting it done on both ends. They’ve won 8 of their last 9 and rank top 3 in both offensive and defensive rating. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been outstanding, but the addition of Jrue Holiday has elevated their perimeter defense and late-game execution.

Even on the road, the Celtics have held their own — 10-5 SU and 9-6 ATS away from TD Garden. They lead the league in net rating and are top 5 in both 3-point rate and effective field goal percentage. That kind of balance is rare, and it’s why they’ve covered large spreads against weaker opponents with ease.

Rebounding is another key strength. With Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford rotating at the 5, Boston has the size and rim protection to limit second-chance opportunities — a big edge against teams like Portland that struggle in the halfcourt.

Availability has been solid lately, but it’s worth double-checking the Boston Celtics injury report before betting. Any absence in the starting five could shift the spread or tilt the matchup.

More insights are available on the Boston Celtics schedule and stats.

Portland Trail Blazers Betting Form

Portland is rebuilding, and their record shows it. They’re 10-21 overall and just 4-6 in their last 10. Their offense has been inefficient, ranking bottom five in offensive rating, and they struggle with turnovers and poor shooting from the perimeter.

The backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons has potential but lacks consistency, especially against elite defensive guards. Jerami Grant provides some offensive stability, but this team just doesn’t have the firepower to match teams like Boston for four quarters.

Defensively, the Blazers are middle of the pack — but they give up too many easy looks at the rim and don’t rotate well on the perimeter. Their defensive rebounding is among the worst in the league, which hurts them against teams like Boston that stretch the floor and crash hard.

As always, check the Portland Trail Blazers injury report — several young players have been in and out of the rotation. Depth and fatigue may become issues late in games.

See full team metrics via the Portland Trail Blazers stats and results.

Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers Matchup Breakdown

This is a bad matchup for Portland in several areas. Boston thrives on ball movement, off-ball screens, and high-percentage shots — exactly the kind of offense that punishes undisciplined defensive teams like the Blazers.

Let’s break down a few key edges:

• 3PT shooting: Boston is top 3 in 3P rate and makes; Portland ranks 27th in opponent 3P%.
• Turnovers: Celtics are disciplined; Blazers are bottom 5 in giveaways.
• Bench depth: Boston’s second unit can extend leads; Portland often loses pace when starters sit.
• Late-game execution: Boston is elite in clutch time; Portland’s young core lacks experience.

The Celtics also have the ability to switch defensively across all positions, which neutralizes Portland’s high pick-and-roll frequency. With Simons and Scoot both looking to create in space, they’ll have to deal with elite defenders like Holiday and Derrick White all night.

Pace-wise, both teams are fairly average. But Boston can speed up or slow down depending on flow, and they’ve done well controlling tempo in these kinds of matchups. If they build a double-digit lead, expect them to slow it down and grind possessions, which could point to an Under outcome.

For more sharp betting analysis, check our NBA betting guide or dig deeper into betting fundamentals with the sports betting strategy guide.

Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers Predictions and Best Bets

There’s little reason to back Portland here unless you’re playing a contrarian angle. The Celtics have been dominant in these spots — against losing teams, they’re 14-5 ATS and consistently cover mid-range spreads like this.

Assuming Boston’s core is healthy, they’ll get what they want offensively and likely limit Portland to one-and-done possessions. If Simons or Grant goes cold early, it could get out of hand fast. Boston’s size, defensive versatility, and clutch scoring give them a huge edge across all four quarters.

The spread at -7.0 still offers value — anything under -8 feels fair here. Boston has won five straight games by double digits and is treating every road game seriously as they chase the No. 1 seed.

For the total, there’s a slight lean to the Under. If Boston dictates tempo and Portland can’t score efficiently, 229.5 is a tall ask. This doesn’t feel like the kind of game where both teams trade buckets for four quarters.

Prop bettors might look at Tatum points or Celtics team total Over if you’re expecting a 120+ night from Boston.

Best Bet: Celtics -7.0 (-108).

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