Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 10-21. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -6.4 as they are averaging 99.7 points per game while giving up 106.1 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 26-9. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.1 points per contest and giving up 98.4, which is a point differential of 4.7.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 18-11-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 15-16-0 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 21-12-2 against the spread

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

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/22/17 SF Jaylen Brown Achilles is "?" Saturday vs Chicago
12/12/17 SF Marcus Morris Knee is out indefinitely
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.7 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 7.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is currently at 85%. Kris Dunn averages 13.2 points per game in 28.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.6 assists per contest and 4.8 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving averages 24.9 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per contest this year for the Celtics. He grabs 2.9 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.5 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%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 99.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.39 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 14 per game. The Bulls allow 106.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 20th in the league with 103.1 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.74. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 43.8 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 22.1. The Celtics are 22nd in turnovers per game with 14.1. The Celtics surrender 98.4 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 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 20.1 assists allowed per contest and 17th with 43.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 108.5, and their offensive rating of 102 is ranked 13th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA. Chicago is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league. The Celtics are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.9, and their defensive rating of 102.9 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 14th. As a team they are 11th 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 Bulls/Celtics NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Boston

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