The Celtics have come a long way since their 0-3 start this 2025-26 NBA campaign. They were supposed to take a gap year with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) on the sidelines, but instead, they’ve re-emerged as a viable contender in the Eastern Conference by taking the second seed with a 23-12 record.
They’re the most in-form team in the league with four straight wins, and the Celtics aim to make it five in a row when they host the shorthanded Nuggets on Wednesday night in the second game of their four-game homestand.
On the other hand, the Raptors, Bulls, Wizards, Pelicans, Magic, Clippers, Suns, Jazz, Lakers, Bucks, and Rockets will visit the Hornets, Pistons, Sixers, Hawks, Nets, Knicks, Grizzlies, Thunder, Spurs, Warriors, and Blazers, respectively.
It’s another busy day in the Association, and SBOTOP will preview the Top 3 games in the schedule, as well as the top NBA 2026 odds.
Denver Nuggets @ Boston Celtics
The Celtics are on a four-game winning streak, buoyed by the MVP-calibre performances of Jaylen Brown, who was pissed after not winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in December 2025. After dropping 50 points against the Clippers on Saturday, Brown had a rare off-night against the Bulls on Monday, but the Celtics still won 115-101.
Anfernee Simons provided the much-needed spark off the bench for Boston, contributing a team-high 27 points, three rebounds, three assists, and eight three-pointers on 9-for-15 shooting from the field in 27 minutes of action. Payton Pritchard, Jaylen Brown, Neemias Queta, and Derrick White added 21, 14, 13, and 10 points.
The Nuggets are fresh from a morale-boosting 125-124 road win over the Sixers on Monday evening, as their role players stepped up big time. Denver were without Nikola Jokic (knee), Christian Braun (ankle), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (knee), Jonas Valanciunas (calf), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness). Jalen Pickett put up a career-high 29 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and seven three-pointers on 11-for-20 shooting. Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji, Bruce Brown, Hunter Tyson, and Spencer Jones chipped in 24, 21, 19, 14, and 10 points.
At this point, the Nuggets cannot afford to lose more warm bodies. Hardaway, Braun, and Gordon are upgraded to questionable tomorrow, while Jamal Murray (ankle) is the newest addition to the injury report.
Betting tip – Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 1.98
Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Jazz are on a poor stretch of NBA 2026 results, losing their last four against the Celtics, Clippers, Warriors, and Blazers. During their lacklustre run, Utah failed to breach the 120-point mark while conceding that much on the other end.
The Jazz had five players in double-digit points against the Blazers, but it wasn’t enough. Lauri Markkanen played through his knee injury and led the team in scoring with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals on 8-for-17 shooting. Jusuf Nurkic, Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, and Isaiah Collier added 21, 15, 13, and 10 points.
At this point, the Thunder will likely not surpass the Warriors’ legendary 73-9 record during the 2015-16 regular season, as they dropped to 30-7 after a shocking 124-97 home defeat against the improving Hornets on Monday. The defending champions are 6-6 in their last 12.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 21 points and six assists on 7-for-21 shooting from the field in the blowout, while Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, and Aaron Wiggins added 16, 15, 11, and 11 points.
Oklahoma City’s notable absentees against Utah include Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), Alex Caruso (back), and Jaylin Williams (heel).
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -18.50 @ 1.98
Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs
The Lakers improved to third in the stacked Western Conference, following a three-game winning streak, and can inch closer to a Top 2 spot if they beat the reeling Spurs tomorrow.
Los Angeles are fresh from a 111-103 road win against New Orleans, as Luka Doncic and LeBron James each scored 30 points. Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart also did their part by adding 18 and 13 points. The Lakers will continue to be without Austin Reaves (calf) and Rui Hachimura (calf).
Victor Wembanyama’s return from a knee injury wasn’t enough to power the Spurs past the Grizzlies on Tuesday night. The Frenchman had 30 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 10-for-20 shooting, but was on a minutes restriction. Julian Champagnie, Stephon Castle, and Keldon Johnson had 23, 15, and 13 points in the losing effort. The Spurs will continue to be without Devin Vassell due to a strained left adductor.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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