Friday, March 17, 2017

Barclays Center

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The Boston Celtics travel to Barclays Center to play the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, March 17, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 9 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 43-25. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.5 as they are averaging 107.6 points per game while giving up 105.1 per contest. The Nets have an overall record of 12-54. They currently are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 105.7 points per game and surrendering 114.2, good for a point differential of -8.5.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 35-31-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 31-36-1 against the over/under

Important Brooklyn Nets Betting Trends

The Brooklyn Nets are 30-34-2 against the spread

The Brooklyn Nets are 35-30-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Brooklyn Nets Injuries

03/15/17 G Sean Kilpatrick Hamstring is downgraded to expected to miss Thursday vs. New York
03/05/17 G Joe Harris Concussion out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 14 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Isaiah Thomas averages 29.2 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6 assists per contest and 2.6 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 91%.

Player Spotlight

Brook Lopez averages 20.5 points per game while playing 29.6 minutes per contest this year for the Nets. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Sean Kilpatrick averages 13.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 4 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 107.6 points per contest this season which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 41.5 rebounds per game and 24.9 assists per game which ranks them 27th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.1 per game. The Celtics allow 105.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 13th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.7 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Brooklyn averages 105.7 points per game this year which ranks them 13th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -8.45 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 43.4 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per contest which ranks them 16th and 21st respectively. In the turnover department the Nets rank 1st with 17 per game. The Nets allow 114.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 30th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc ranking them 24th and 26th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 47 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 23.3 assists per contest which puts them in 21st place in the league. The Nets force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

Competitive Ratings

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 111.2 and a defensive rating of 108.6. In terms of pace they average 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 53%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Boston turns the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Competitive Ratings

The Nets rating on offense is 103.8 and they have a defensive rating of 112.1. They get 101.4 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they attempt 3 pointers on 38% of their shot attempts. Brooklyn turns the ball over on 15.1 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Brooklyn +9

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