Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks NBA Picks & Predictions 11/18/2017

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Philips Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Philips Arena to play the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, November 18, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 7 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 14-2. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 7.9 as they are averaging 102.0 points per game while giving up 94.1 per contest. The Hawks have an overall mark of 3-12. They currently are 5th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.2 points per contest and giving up 108.4, which is a point differential of -4.2.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 13-2-1 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 5-11-0 against the over/under

Important Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks are 7-7-1 against the spread

The Atlanta Hawks are 8-7-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

11/17/17 F Mike Muscala Ankle is "?" Saturday vs. Boston

Player Spotlight

Al Horford averages 15.5 points per game in 32.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.4 assists per contest and 9 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 58% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 20.3 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 88%.

Player Spotlight

Kent Bazemore averages 13.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Dennis Schroder averages 19.9 points per game while playing 32 minutes per contest this year for the Hawks. He grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 6.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 94.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 10th, and they give up 20.6 assists per contest which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league. Boston averages 102 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.88 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 47.9 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 14.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hawks surrender 108.4 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawks are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.3 per game this season. Atlanta is 18th in the league with 104.2 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -4.2. They shoot 40% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 41.8 boards per game and 9th in assists per contest with 22.9. The Hawks are 8th in turnovers per game with 16.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 97.2, and their offensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 30th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 26th. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA. Boston is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Atlanta is 8th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 11th in the NBA. The Hawks are 21st in the league in defensive rating with 109.2, and their offensive rating of 104.9 is ranked 7th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 12th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Hawks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Atlanta +7

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