Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2017

Thursday, December 28, 2017

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets head to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics on Thursday, December 28, 2017. The opening line for this game has Boston as 1 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 25-7. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 9.5 as they are averaging 115.1 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 27-10. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.5 points per contest and giving up 98.5, which is a point differential of 5.0.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 16-15-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 17-15-0 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 22-13-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 19-17-1 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/27/17 PG Chris Paul Groin is "?" Thursday vs Boston
12/27/17 C Clint Capela Eye is out indefinitely
12/14/17 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/26/17 SF Jaylen Brown Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Charlotte
12/26/17 SF Marcus Morris Knee is OUT Wednesday vs Charlotte
12/26/17 F Semi Ojeleye Back is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Charlotte
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon comes into this game averaging 19.5 points per contest while playing 32 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 2.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 83%. James Harden averages 32.4 points per contest in 36.3 minutes per game this year. He averages 9.2 assists per game and 5.2 rebounds per contest for Houston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum has scored 14 points per contest while playing 30.7 minutes per game this season for the Celtics. He hauls in 5.6 rebounds per contest and has 1.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Kyrie Irving averages 24.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 3 rebounds per game and 4.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 115.1 points per contest this year, which is 1st in the league. Their average scoring margin is 9.56 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 8th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 44.1 boards per contest and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 11th with 15.3 per game. The Rockets allow 105.6 points per contest which is 15th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 40.6 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they allow 21.9 assists per game which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 20th in the NBA with 103.5 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.95. They shoot 38% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 13th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.9 boards per contest and 18th in assists per game with 22.3. The Celtics are 23rd in turnovers per contest with 14. The Celtics give up 98.5 points per game, which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 2nd and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 20.4 dimes allowed per game and 19th with 43.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Celtics are 10th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 116 is ranked 21st. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 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 108.1, and their defensive rating of 103 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 12th 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 Rockets/Celtics NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Houston +1

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