Boston Celtics at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Thursday, December 21, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 4.5 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 26-7. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 5.3 as they are averaging 103.8 points per game while giving up 98.5 per contest. The Knicks have an overall mark of 16-14. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 104.3 points per contest and giving up 103.9, which is a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 21-10-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 17-15-1 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 17-13-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 14-15-1 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 New York Knicks Injuries

12/20/17 F Kristaps Porzingis Knee is "?" Thursday vs Boston
12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 13.8 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 5.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 24.4 points per game while playing 32 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.9 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 88%.

Player Spotlight

Enes Kanter averages 13.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.8 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 60% and his free throw percentage is 88%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 25.5 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 98.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd 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 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they give up 20.2 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league. Boston averages 103.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.33 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knicks surrender 103.9 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest, and 1st with 40.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season. New York is 16th in the league with 104.3 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.47. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 43.7 boards per game and 9th in assists per contest with 23. The Knicks are 7th in turnovers per game with 15.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 102.9, and their offensive rating of 108.5 is ranked 30th. They are 25th in the NBA in pace with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 12th. As a unit they are 10th 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 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Knicks are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 107.8, and their offensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 15th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York +4.5

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