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Celtics vs. Kings prediction: Boston favored to win Thursday's NBA game [1/1/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings predictions for NBA Thursday.
NBA action continues on New Year's Day at 10:00 PM ET as the favored Boston Celtics lock horns with the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury updates, Dimers' proven NBA model projects the Celtics as the most likely winner of the Celtics vs. Kings game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Kings lineup will feature stars like DeMar DeRozan, Maxime Raynaud and Keegan Murray, while the Celtics will be led by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
This article offers a closer look at Thursday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Celtics vs. Kings prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NBA matchup between the Celtics and Kings 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Celtics a 76% chance of beating the Kings. Our predicted final score has the Celtics winning 117-109.
According to our model, the Kings (+9.5) have a 55% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 227.5 points has a 51% chance of staying under.
Celtics vs. Kings odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Celtics | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -9.5 (-110) | +9.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | -390 | +325 |
| Total | o227.5 (-110) | u227.5 (-108) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Celtics vs. Kings picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Kings +9.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Kings | +325 |
| Total | Under 227.5 | -108 |
According to our best NBA bets for Thursday, the top play to make on this game is Kings +9.5 at the spread.
Celtics vs. Kings player props
NBA prop bets are an exciting way to wager on Thursday's Celtics vs. Kings game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Golden 1 Center.
Jaylen Brown is expected to lead the Celtics with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while DeMar DeRozan is projected to have 18 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists for the Kings.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Celtics prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Celtics are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | 30 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 50 |
| Derrick White | 19 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 41 |
| P. Pritchard | 18 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 36 |
| Anfernee Simons | 13 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 23 |
| Neemias Queta | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 30 |
Kings prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Kings:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeMar DeRozan | 18 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 32 |
| Maxime Raynaud | 14 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| Keegan Murray | 14 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 29 |
| R. Westbrook | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 35 |
| Dennis Schroder | 10 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 22 |
Celtics vs. Kings game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Kings and Celtics at Golden 1 Center is scheduled to start at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: Boston Celtics vs. Sacramento Kings
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: Golden 1 Center
Conclusion
We predict the Celtics, with a 76% win probability, will likely beat the Kings on New Year's Day, with Jaylen Brown projected for a game-high 50 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Celtics vs. Kings insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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