Jan. 1, 2026, 11:40 a.m. ET

The Boston Celtics (20-12) face the Sacramento Kings (8-25) Thursday. Tip-off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, is set for 10 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Celtics vs. Kings odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-2025 season series: Split 1-1

The Celtics continued their strong run Tuesday, winning for the fifth time in 6 games with a 129-119 road victory over the Utah Jazz. Boston covered as a 4-point favorite as the Over (247) cashed. G Derrick White poured in 27 points, scoring 13 in the fourth quarter and adding a career-high 7 blocks. G Jaylen Brown finished with 23 points and 10 assists, snapping his 9-game streak of 30-point performances.

The Kings’ struggles continued Tuesday night with a lopsided 131-90 loss to the LA Clippers. Sacramento failed to cover as a 10-point road underdog and the Over (216.5) cashed. G Nique Clifford led the Kings with 18 points, while C Maxime Raynaud posted 12 points and 12 rebounds. Sacramento dropped its fifth straight road game and fell to 3-12 since Nov. 26.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Celtics at Kings odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Celtics -425 (bet $425 to win $100) | Kings +320 (bet $100 to win $320)Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -9.5 (-110) | Kings +9.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Celtics at Kings key injuries

Celtics

G Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out

Kings

G Zach LaVine (ankle) outC Domantas Sabonis (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Celtics at Kings picks and predictionsPrediction

Celtics 120, Kings 98

PASS.

The Celtics (-425) should win Thursday without much trouble, but I’ll take the spread instead for much better odds.

BET CELTICS -9.5 (-110).

I’m not overthinking this one — Sacramento is in a bad place right now, and the last week has been especially rough. The Kings have dropped 12 of their last 15 games and just got embarrassed in back-to-back losses in Los Angeles, including a 41-point blowout by the Clippers. That’s not a team trending in the right direction.

Boston, meanwhile, looks steady and confident. The Celtics just handled Utah on the road with balanced scoring and strong defense, and this is still one of the most reliable teams in the league when they’re favored. They’ve covered consistently in this range, and their depth really shows against teams that can’t keep up for 48 minutes.

Sacramento’s injury situation doesn’t help. Without Sabonis and LaVine, the Kings are thin up front and short on scoring options.

Boston has won 7 of the last 8 meetings in this matchup, and the gap between these teams feels wide right now. I’m laying the points and trusting the Celtics to pull away.

BET UNDER 227.5 (-110).

Boston has been locked in defensively, allowing just 110.8 points per game, a top-5 mark in the league, and that has driven the Under in 5 of its last 8 outings. Sacramento’s offense has been inconsistent during its recent skid, and key injuries have limited scoring upside. The Under has also cashed in 3 straight head-to-head meetings and in 2 of the Kings’ last 3 games. With Boston controlling pace and defending at a high level, this one profiles as a lower-scoring affair.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NBA coverage:

HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.