Three – that’s the number of games the Boston Celtics have had to miss because of COVID-19 issues.  However, things are reportedly getting back on track and the team is finally going to play tonight.  The NBA is still trying to keep the coronavirus out of the league in an effort to avoid another shutdown like the one from last season, but teams aren’t making things easy.

Celtics Host The Magic

The Celtics will return to the court tonight to take on the Orlando Magic, looking to pick up where they left off.  They were 7-3 before having to postpone a few games and will still have to play without a few key players.  Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams III and Jayson Tatum are still on COVID-19 protocol and, adding to the problems, Romeo Langford and Kemba Walker are out for injuries.

The Magic have lost some of their magic, as well.  Evan Fournier, Markelle Fultz, Mo Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Michael Carter-Williams are out due to injury and, to make things worse, have lost five of their last seven games.  Because the Celtics have more depth, they’re getting a slight advantage tonight, with Unibet listing them at -143.  However, there’s only a three-point spread, which is a sign that this is going to be a close game.  It’s very likely the 213 (-112) Over/Under stays under.

The New York Knicks are off to play the Cleveland Cavaliers, hoping to bring a four-game losing streak to an end.  The offense hasn’t been able to get things together, but the Cavaliers have been having issues of their own.  They’ve dropped five of their last six and are going to have trouble tonight because of injuries.

The Knicks are going to play without Frank Ntilikina, while Reggie Bullock and Alex Burks are questionable.  However, the Cavs are down four players, including Darius Garland and Kevin Love, and several players are questionable.  This could still be a tight game, though, and the Knicks are getting -129 with just two points.  The Over/Under of 197.5 (-112) indicates that there isn’t much optimism from oddsmakers, but expect the over to hit.

Bulls And Thunder To Battle

The Chicago Bulls have dropped three straight, but the way they lost indicates that they’re anything but a losing team.  In two games against the LA Lakers and LA Clippers, they only lost by a combined five points.  As they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, they are hoping to find the missing ingredient to their success.

The Thunder have taken five straight losses and this is a difficult game to call.  As the home team, the Thunder should have a slight edge, but oddsmakers are straddling the fence.  Unibet has them both at -109 with half a point given to the Thunder, but an underdog bet in favor of the Bulls is worth it here.  Taking some action on the 224.5 (-109) Over/Under is also a good choice, with the Over hitting.

The Utah Jazz have begun to find some rhythm and will look to continue that tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.  Both teams, like the Celtics, have also had to deal with COVID-19 issues, with Atlanta’s game against the Phoenix Suns this past Wednesday postponed.  That stopped Atlanta’s rebound, which saw it stop a four-game losing streak by beating the Philadelphia 76ers.  The Jazz were to play the Washington Wizards as part of a seven-game road trip, but that will now be played later this season.

The Jazz and the Hawks met one time last year and the Jazz came out on top.  Look for a repeat tonight, with Utah going in without Joe Ingles, but Atlanta playing without Bogdan Bogdanovich and Danilo Gallinari.  The Jazz are getting -230 and six points, and the Over/Under of 226.5 (-109) seems a little high.