Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers NBA Picks & Predictions 10/20/2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

Wells Fargo Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, October 20, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 3 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 53-29. They were 1st in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 2.6 as they averaged 108.0 points per game while giving up 105.4 per contest. The 76ers had an overall record of 28-54 last season. They were 4th in the Atlantic Division. They averaged 102.4 points per game and surrendered 108.1, good for a point differential of -5.7.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics were 40-40-2 against the spread last season

The Boston Celtics were 38-42-2 against the over/under last year

Important Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers were 49-33-0 against the spread last season

The Philadelphia 76ers were 42-39-1 against the over/under last year

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/19/17 SF Jaylen Brown Wrist injured last game, is probable Friday vs. Philadelphia
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
10/15/17 F Marcus Morris Knee is out indefinitely

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

10/14/17 F Richaun Holmes Wrist out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest after averaging 25.2 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 3.2 rebounds per game and dished out 5.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 47% while his free throw percentage finished at 91%. Al Horford averaged 14 points per game in 32.3 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 5 assists per contest and 6.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 47% for the year while his free throw percentage was 80%.

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid averaged 20.2 points per game while playing 25.4 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 7.8 rebounds per game and had 2.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 47% and his free throw percentage was at 78%. J.J. Redick averaged 15 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 28.2 minutes per contest. He also averaged 2.2 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 45% and his free throw percentage was 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averaged 108 points per contest last season, which ranked them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 2.63 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a team, which had them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shot 36% which was good for 14th in the league. They averaged 42 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per game, which ranked them 26th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 22nd with 13.3 per game. The Celtics allowed 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 15th in the league. They also allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44.5 rebounds a game which ranked 24th and they gave up 22.6 assists per contest, which put them in 12th place in the league. They forced 13.9 turnovers per game which ranked them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia was 25th in the league with 102.4 points per game last year. They were 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin was -5.7. They shot 34% from 3-point range, which was good for 25th in the NBA. They were 24th in the league in rebounding with 42.8 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 23.8. The 76ers were 1st in turnovers per game with 16.7. The 76ers surrendered 108.1 points per contest, which ranked them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 16th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 14th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 45 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers were 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics were 7th in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 111.2 was ranked 18th. They were 12th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% was 9th. As a unit they were 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Boston was 22nd in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 50%, which was 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia was 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 16th in the NBA. The 76ers were 30th in the league in defensive rating with 108.9, and their offensive rating of 103.2 was ranked 14th. They were 6th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% was 23rd. As a unit they were 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/76ers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Philadelphia +3

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