Friday, April 21, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics are headed to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, April 21, 2017 in Game 3 of their Playoff series. The Bulls lead the series 2-0. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago as 1.5 point favorites.

The Celtics finished the regular season with an overall record of 53-29. They were 1st in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 2.6 as they averaged 108.0 points per game while giving up 105.4 per contest. The Bulls had a regular season record of 41-41. They finished the year 4th in the Central Division. They averaged 102.9 points per game and surrendered 102.4, good for a point differential of 0.5.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 40-40-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 38-42-2 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 42-40-0 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 32-50-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Isaiah Thomas comes into this contest averaging 28.9 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 91%. Al Horford averages 14 points per game in 32.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5 assists per contest and 6.8 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Dwyane Wade averages 18.3 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Jimmy Butler averages 23.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.2 rebounds per contest and 5.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 108 points per contest this season which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.63 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 42 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per game which ranks them 26th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.3 per game. The Celtics allow 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc ranking them 7th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.5 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 22.6 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 102.9 points per game this year which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.43 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 25th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 46.3 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per contest which ranks them 2nd and 14th respectively. In the turnover department the Bulls rank 19th with 13.5 per game. The Bulls allow 102.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 14th and 5th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 43.2 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 23.6 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. The Bulls force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 111.1 and a defensive rating of 108.4. In terms of pace they average 96.8 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 12.2 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls rating on offense is 107.4 and they have a defensive rating of 107. They get 95.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 49%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 26% of their shot attempts. Chicago turns the ball over on 12.2 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston +1.5

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 Josh Schonwald