Boston Celtics at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 12/16/2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

FedExForum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to FedExForum to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 7 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 24-6. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 5.9 as they are averaging 103.9 points per game while giving up 98.0 per contest. The Grizzlies have an overall record of 8-20. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 97.2 points per game and surrendering 101.5, good for a point differential of -4.3.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 20-8-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 15-15-0 against the over/under

Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 10-17-1 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 9-19-0 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 Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

12/14/17 F Brandan Wright Groin is OUT Friday vs Atlanta
12/14/17 G Tyreke Evans Hip is "?" Friday vs Atlanta
11/20/17 SG Wayne Selden Quad is out indefinitely
11/17/17 PG Mike Conley Achilles is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 24 points per game while playing 32 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 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 88%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.8 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 5.6 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol averages 18.9 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year for the Grizzlies. He grabs 8.6 rebounds per game and has 4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Tyreke Evans averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 103.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.93 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 44.8 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.3 per game. The Celtics allow 98 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.8 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 20.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis is 29th in the league with 97.2 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -4.25. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 29th in the league in rebounding with 39 boards per game, and 23rd in assists per contest with 20.9. The Grizzlies are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.4. The Grizzlies surrender 101.5 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 20.3 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Grizzlies are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 102.2, and their offensive rating of 108.4 is ranked 30th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Boston is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Memphis is 11th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Grizzlies are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 108.3, and their offensive rating of 103.7 is ranked 14th. They are 30th in the NBA in pace with 93.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 24th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -7

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