Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Brooklyn Nets travel to TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 10.5 point favorites.

The Nets come into this game with an overall record of 13-22. They are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.5 as they are averaging 107.5 points per game while giving up 110.0 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 29-10. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.3 points per contest and giving up 98.3, which is a point differential of 5.0.

Valuable Brooklyn Nets Betting Trends

The Brooklyn Nets are 20-15-0 against the spread

The Brooklyn Nets are 14-20-1 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 24-13-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 19-19-1 against the over/under

Key Brooklyn Nets Injuries

11/13/17 PG D'Angelo Russell Knee is out indefinitely
10/19/17 PG Jeremy Lin Knee is out for season

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/28/17 SF Jaylen Brown Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Brooklyn
12/28/17 F Semi Ojeleye Back is "?" Sunday vs Brooklyn
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson averages 14.8 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game for Brooklyn. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. DeMarre Carroll comes into this contest averaging 12.6 points per game while playing 28.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Nets. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is currently at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 14.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Kyrie Irving averages 24.7 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per contest this year for the Celtics. He grabs 3 rebounds per game and has 5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nets allow 110 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league. Brooklyn averages 107.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.51 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 45.5 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 15.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 98.3 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 20.1 assists allowed per contest, and 22nd with 43.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game this season. Boston is 20th in the league with 103.3 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 43.9 boards per game and 18th in assists per contest with 22.1. The Celtics are 21st in turnovers per game with 14.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Nets are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 109.2, and their offensive rating of 106.7 is ranked 10th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 20th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA. Brooklyn is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league. The Celtics are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108, and their defensive rating of 102.8 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -10.5

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