Sunday, December 25, 2016

Madison Square Garden

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Boston Celtics travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Sunday, December 25, 2016. The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 17-13. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.8 as they are averaging 104.8 points per game while giving up 103.0 per contest. The Knicks have an overall record of 16-13. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 105.3 points per game and surrendering 107.6, good for a point differential of -2.2.

Isaiah Thomas comes into this contest averaging 27 points per game while playing 33.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 90%. Al Horford averages 15.7 points per game in 33 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5 assists per contest and 7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Kristaps Porzingis averages 19.9 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Carmelo Anthony averages 22.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 6 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Boston averages 104.7 points per contest this season which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.7 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 49.9 rebounds per game and 24.6 assists per game which ranks them 24th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 12.4 per game. The Celtics allow 103 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 8th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 55.6 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 22.1 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

New York averages 105.3 points per game this year which ranks them 11th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 18th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 54.1 rebounds per game and 22.1 assists per contest which ranks them 6th and 14th respectively. In the turnover department the Knicks rank 17th with 14 per game. The Knicks allow 107.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 15th and 10th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 54 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. The Knicks force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA.

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 108.7 and a defensive rating of 106.9. In terms of pace they average 96 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 11.4 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

The Knicks rating on offense is 107.8 and they have a defensive rating of 110.1. They get 97 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 28% of their shot attempts. New York turns the ball over on 12.4 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.9 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 16-13-1 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 12-18-0 against the over/under

New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 18-11-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 15-14-0 against the over/under

Boston Celtics Injuries

No key injuries to report

New York Knicks Injuries

12/23/16 F Kristaps Porzingis Knee is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Boston

Guy's Pick: Take New York

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn