Boston Celtics at LA Clippers on Saturday, January 9 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Clippers at only 52%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Clippers 52%, with a projected score of Boston Celtics 113, LA Clippers 113. The rating gap is 88 points in favor of the Celtics, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Clippers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 48 times in 100 games like this, the Celtics would win.
Recent form
The Celtics are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4. The Clippers are 1-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -0.4.
The Celtics were beaten 113-97 at home by PHI not long ago.
The Clippers' best recent win was 121-96 at home against SAC.
The Clippers were beaten 116-97 on the road by POR not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Devin Carter (BOS), expected back Nov 8, 2026, Bradley Beal (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026, Max Strus (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026, Yanic Konan Niederhauser (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026, and Brandon Ingram (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Celtics lead 4-0, with the Celtics outscoring the Clippers by an average of 17.5 points per game. The last meeting was BOS 146, LAC 115.