Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards on Monday, January 18 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Celtics about a 79% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Celtics 79%, with a projected score of Boston Celtics 117, Washington Wizards 109. The rating gap is 326 points in favor of the Celtics, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Wizards on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
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 Wizards are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -9.
The Celtics were beaten 113-97 at home by PHI not long ago.
The Wizards were beaten 140-117 at home by MIA not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Devin Carter (BOS), expected back Nov 8, 2026, Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027, and AJ Dybantsa (WAS), expected back Oct 26, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Celtics lead 7-0, with the Celtics outscoring the Wizards by an average of 23.6 points per game. The last meeting was WAS 100, BOS 111.