Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards Prediction: Can Kyle Kuzma Step Up for Wizards Tonight?
The Washington Wizards host the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. Can Kyle Kuzma step up for the Wizards tonight? Read on to find out Ben Rajavuori's Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards prediction
Ben Rajavuori - March 17, 2024, 12:48 PM EDT
5 minBoston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards Prediction: Can Kyle Kuzma Step Up for Wizards Tonight?
The Boston Celtics travel to Washington, DC tonight to take on the Wizards in Capital One Arena. The Celtics enter this game sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference with the record of 52–14 and they have 14 straight games. Washington is on the other book end, as they are last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11–56 and have lost three games in a row. What should we expect in today’s game?
Celtics vs. Wizards DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: March 17, 2024
- Game Time: 6:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards Prediction
The player I’m targeting in this game is Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma is in his seventh season in the NBA and his third season with the Wizards. He is averaging his highest points per game and assists per game in his career this season, as he is averaging 22.4 points per game and 4.2 assists per game. He is the leading score for this Wizards team and has really taken over as the star with Jordan Poole playing under his expectations coming into the season. I expect Kuzma to have a good game today against the Celtics.
Kuzma will have to be on his a game and play a lot of minutes as Deni Avdija is banged up, as well as Marvin Bagley III and Landry Shamet also being injured. With so much size on the injury report for the Wizards, Kuzma will have to pick up a lot of slack in today’s game. Luckily for him, the Celtics are also pretty banged up coming into today’s game.
Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porziņģis are all banged up for today’s game. Derrick White and Kristaps Porziņģis have already been ruled out, while Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are both questionable. With the Celtics being on the front end of a back-to-back game, as they play the Pistons tomorrow, I would expect Brown and Tatum to also sit since White and Porzingis are already out and this is a game against the bottom team in the conference.
With that, this could actually be a closer game than expected. The spread is at 11 points, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wizards kept this game competitive if Kuzma can play well. Kuzma only played 29 minutes yesterday against the Bulls because the game was a blowout and he only had 11 points. It was his lowest scoring game since January 20, and I expect him to bounce back against the shorthanded Celtics today. His usage rate is through the roof right now with all the injuries, and I’m taking him to hit over 32 points plus rebounds plus assists tonight.
Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards Pick
Pick: Kuzma Over 32.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
WIN $25 GIFT CARD ON SUNDAY'S NBA SLATE
Think you know what will happen on today's NBA slate? Answer the questions below and get the perfect score for your chance to win a $25 Fanatics gift card.
NBA ODDS
