Friday, March 3, 2017

Staples Center

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The Boston Celtics head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 3, 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 39-22. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.3 as they are averaging 107.9 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 19-42. They currently are 4th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 104.2 points per game and surrendering 110.8, good for a point differential of -6.6.

Isaiah Thomas comes into this game averaging 29.6 points per contest while playing 34.5 minutes per night so far this year for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.7 rebounds per contest and dishes out 6.2 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 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5 assists per contest and 6.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Julius Randle averages 13 points per game while playing 28.4 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 8.4 rebounds per game and has 3.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 71%. Jordan Clarkson averages 13.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

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Boston averages 107.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.31 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 41.3 rebounds per game and 24.9 assists per game which ranks them 27th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 12.9 per game. The Celtics allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 11th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.8 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Los Angeles averages 104.2 points per game this year which ranks them 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -6.67 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 20.6 assists per contest which ranks them 14th and 26th respectively. In the turnover department the Lakers rank 7th with 15.3 per game. The Lakers allow 110.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 24th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest which puts them in 30th place in the league. The Lakers force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the NBA.

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 111.5 and a defensive rating of 109.1. In terms of pace they average 96.2 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 11.9 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Lakers rating on offense is 105.9 and they have a defensive rating of 112.7. They get 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. Los Angeles turns the ball over on 13.6 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.6 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 54%.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 31-28-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 30-31-0 against the over/under

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 27-32-2 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 33-27-1 against the over/under

Boston Celtics Injuries

03/02/17 F Gerald Green Heel "?" Friday vs. LA Lakers
01/09/17 G James Young Ankle out indefinitely

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

03/02/17 F Thomas Robinson Illness "?" Friday vs. Boston

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -7.5

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