Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks NBA Picks & Predictions 11/20/2017

Monday, November 20, 2017

American Airlines Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, November 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Boston as 7.5 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 15-2. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.1 as they are averaging 102.5 points per game while giving up 94.4 per contest. The Mavericks have an overall mark of 3-14. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 98.9 points per contest and giving up 105.6, which is a point differential of -6.7.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 14-2-1 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 6-11-0 against the over/under

Important Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 5-12-0 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 7-10-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

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

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

11/14/17 F Dorian Finney-Smith Knee is out indefinitely
10/07/17 G Seth Curry Stress Fracture is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this game averaging 20.9 points per contest while playing 31.1 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 89%. Al Horford averages 14.9 points per contest in 32.2 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.5 assists per game and 8.8 rebounds per contest for Boston. His field goal percentage is 56% for the season while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Dennis Smith has scored 14.5 points per contest while playing 28.8 minutes per game this season for the Mavericks. He hauls in 4.2 rebounds per contest and has 4.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 35.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.1 rebounds per game and 1.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 102.5 points per contest this year, which is 22nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 8.06 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 27th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 47.5 boards per contest and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 23rd with 14.6 per game. The Celtics allow 94.4 points per contest which is 1st in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.9 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they allow 20.8 assists per game which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas is 28th in the NBA with 98.9 points per contest this season. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -6.65. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 17th in the league. They are 23rd in the NBA in rebounding with 41.5 boards per contest and 22nd in assists per game with 20.6. The Mavericks are 18th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Mavericks give up 105.6 points per game, which ranks them 18th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 25th and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 21.9 dimes allowed per game and 25th with 45.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Mavericks are 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 97.7, and their offensive rating of 106 is ranked 30th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 96.6 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 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 17th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Mavericks are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 109.3, and their offensive rating of 102.4 is ranked 8th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 25th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas +7.5

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