Friday, February 24, 2017

Air Canada Centre

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The Boston Celtics travel to Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Raptors on Friday, February 24, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 3.5 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 37-20. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.8 as they are averaging 108.4 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Raptors have an overall record of 33-24. They currently are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 108.5 points per game and surrendering 104.3, good for a point differential of 4.1.

Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 14.6 points per game while playing 32.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Isaiah Thomas averages 29.9 points per game in 34.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.3 assists per contest and 2.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 91%.

Kyle Lowry averages 22.8 points per game while playing 37.7 minutes per contest this year for the Raptors. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 6.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. DeMar DeRozan averages 27.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Boston averages 108.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.75 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 41.2 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per game which ranks them 27th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 12.8 per game. The Celtics allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th 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 22nd and they give up 22.7 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Toronto averages 108.5 points per game this year which ranks them 5th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.14 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 10th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 9th in the NBA. They average 42.6 rebounds per game and 18.6 assists per contest which ranks them 24th and 30th respectively. In the turnover department the Raptors rank 28th with 12.3 per game. The Raptors allow 104.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 15th and 17th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 22 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. The Raptors force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the NBA.

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 112.1 and a defensive rating of 109.3. In terms of pace they average 96.1 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 11.8 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 Raptors rating on offense is 113.3 and they have a defensive rating of 109. They get 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 52%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. Toronto turns the ball over on 11.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.9 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 29-26-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 30-27-0 against the over/under

Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 31-25-1 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 32-25-0 against the over/under

Boston Celtics Injuries

02/20/17 PG Avery Bradley Achilles "?"
02/16/17 F Jaylen Brown Hip "?"
01/09/17 G James Young Ankle out indefinitely

Toronto Raptors Injuries

02/15/17 F Serge Ibaka Acquired probable
02/15/17 F Patrick Patterson Knee "?"

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto -3.5

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