Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to play the Indiana Pacers on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 25-7. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 5.5 as they are averaging 103.6 points per game while giving up 98.1 per contest. The Pacers have an overall mark of 16-13. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They are averaging 108.1 points per contest and giving up 107.1, which is a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 21-9-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 16-15-1 against the over/under

Important Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 17-12-0 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 13-15-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/12/17 SF Marcus Morris Knee is out indefinitely
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/16/17 F Thaddeus Young Knee is "?" Sunday vs Brooklyn
09/29/17 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 24.2 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.8 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 5.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Myles Turner averages 14.6 points per game while playing 30.3 minutes per contest this year for the Pacers. He grabs 7.2 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%. Victor Oladipo averages 24.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 4.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 103.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.47 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.2 per game. The Celtics allow 98.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 20.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana is 7th in the league with 108.1 points per game this year. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.03. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game, and 10th in assists per contest with 23. The Pacers are 23rd in turnovers per game with 14. The Pacers surrender 107.1 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest and 21st with 44 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pacers are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 102.6, and their offensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 30th. They are 25th in the NBA in pace with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 12th 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 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Indiana is 24th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 6th in the league. The Pacers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 108.7 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Indiana

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 Tony Sink