Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 10/17/2017

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 5.5 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game after finishing last 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 Cavaliers had an overall mark of 51-31 last year. They were 1st in the Central Division. They averaged 110.3 points per contest and gave up 107.2, which was a point differential of 3.1.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics were 40-40-2 against the spread last season

The Boston Celtics were 38-42-2 against the over/under last year

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers were 36-43-3 against the spread last season

The Cleveland Cavaliers were 47-35-0 against the over/under last year

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/13/17 C Aron Baynes Knee "?" Tuesday vs. Cleveland

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

10/13/17 PG Isaiah Thomas Hip out indefinitely
10/13/17 F Kevin Love Knee probable Tuesday vs. Boston
10/13/17 F LeBron James Ankle "?" Tuesday vs. Boston

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest after averaging 25.2 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 3.2 rebounds per game and dished out 5.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 47% while his free throw percentage finished at 91%. Gordon Hayward averaged 21.9 points per game in 34.5 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 3.5 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 47% for the year while his free throw percentage was 84%.

Player Spotlight

Lebron James averaged 26.4 points per game while playing 37.8 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 8.6 rebounds per game and had 8.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 55% and his free throw percentage was at 67%. Dwyane Wade averaged 18.3 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 29.9 minutes per contest. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage was 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averaged 108 points per contest last season, which ranked them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 2.63 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a team, which had them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shot 36% which was good for 14th in the league. They averaged 42 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per game, which ranked them 26th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 22nd with 13.3 per game. The Celtics allowed 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 15th in the league. They also allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44.5 rebounds a game which ranked 24th and they gave up 22.6 assists per contest, which put them in 12th place in the league. They forced 13.9 turnovers per game which ranked them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland was 4th in the league with 110.3 points per game last year. They were 5th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was 3.18. They shot 38% from 3-point range, which was good for 2nd in the NBA. They were 12th in the league in rebounding with 43.7 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Cavaliers were 16th in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Cavaliers surrendered 107.2 points per contest, which ranked them 20th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 29th with 24.7 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers were 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.6 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics were 7th in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 111.2 was ranked 18th. They were 12th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% was 9th. As a unit they were 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Boston was 22nd in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 50%, which was 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland was 16th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 52%, which was 12th in the NBA. The Cavaliers were 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 113.6 was ranked 10th. They were 15th in the NBA in pace with 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% was 2nd. As a unit they were 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Cleveland -5.5

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