Sunday, December 18, 2016

American Airlines Arena

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The Boston Celtics travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Sunday, December 18, 2016. The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 14-12. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.5 as they are averaging 104.1 points per game while giving up 102.6 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 9-18. They currently are 5th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 97.4 points per game and surrendering 100.2, good for a point differential of -2.8.

Isaiah Thomas comes into this contest averaging 26 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Al Horford averages 15.6 points per game in 32.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.3 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Hassan Whiteside averages 17.4 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 14.7 rebounds per game and has 0.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 53%. Goran Dragic averages 18.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4 rebounds per contest and 6.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Boston averages 104 points per contest this season which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 49.8 rebounds per game and 24.9 assists per game which ranks them 25th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 4th with 12.4 per game. The Celtics allow 102.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 55.5 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league.

Miami averages 97.4 points per game this year which ranks them 28th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.8 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team which has them sitting in the 27th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the NBA. They average 54.7 rebounds per game and 20.4 assists per contest which ranks them 5th and 25th respectively. In the turnover department the Heat rank 8th with 12.8 per game. The Heat allow 100.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 10th and 7th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 53.3 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 19.9 assists per contest which puts them in 3rd place in the league. The Heat force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 108.5 and a defensive rating of 107. In terms of pace they average 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 51%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they shoot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots. Boston turns the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

The Heat rating on offense is 103.2 and they have a defensive rating of 106.2. They get 94 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 48%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 51% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. Miami turns the ball over on 11.8 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.1 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 49%.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 13-12-1 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 9-17-0 against the over/under

Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 14-13-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 12-15-0 against the over/under

Boston Celtics Injuries

12/17/16 F Gerald Green Hip "?" Sunday vs. Miami

Miami Heat Injuries

12/17/16 G Tyler Johnson Illness "?" Sunday vs. Boston
12/17/16 G Wayne Ellington Hamstring injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Boston
11/30/16 G Dion Waiters Groin expected to miss 2-4 weeks
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Miami +4

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