Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/27/2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

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The Boston Celtics travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 2 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 27-10. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 5.3 as they are averaging 103.5 points per contest while giving up 98.2 per game. The Hornets have an overall mark of 12-21. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.6 points per contest and giving up 106.5, which is a point differential of -1.9.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 22-13-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 19-17-1 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 13-17-3 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 15-17-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/26/17 SF Jaylen Brown Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Charlotte
12/26/17 SF Marcus Morris Knee is OUT Wednesday vs Charlotte
12/26/17 F Semi Ojeleye Back is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Charlotte
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/26/17 SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Illness is "?" Wednesday vs Boston
12/23/17 PF Marvin Williams Finger left last game, is "?" Wednesday vs Boston
12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this contest averaging 13.8 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Kyrie Irving averages 24.9 points per game in 32.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.9 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 21.5 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per game and has 5.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%. Dwight Howard averages 15.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.2 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 54%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.31 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 98.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.4 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 20.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 16th in the league with 104.6 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.88. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 46.5 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 20.5. The Hornets are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Hornets surrender 106.5 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 43.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 102.7, and their offensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 30th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 12th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Boston is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Hornets are 21st in the league in defensive rating with 107.1, and their offensive rating of 105.3 is ranked 17th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte +2

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