Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 10/18/2017

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 5.5 point favorites.

The Bucks head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 42-40. They were 2nd in the Central Division. They had a point differential of -0.2 as they averaged 103.6 points per contest while giving up 103.8 per game. The Celtics had an overall mark of 53-29 last year. They were 1st in the Atlantic Division. They averaged 108.0 points per contest and gave up 105.4, which was a point differential of 2.6.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks were 36-46-0 against the spread last season

The Milwaukee Bucks were 42-38-2 against the over/under last year

Important 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

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

10/14/17 F Jabari Parker Knee out indefinitely

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/13/17 C Aron Baynes Knee "?" Tuesday vs. Cleveland

Player Spotlight

Greg Monroe averaged 11.7 points per game in 22.5 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 2.3 assists per contest and 6.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 53% for the year while his free throw percentage was 74%. Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this contest after averaging 22.9 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 8.8 rebounds per game and dished out 5.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 52% while his free throw percentage was at 77%.

Player Spotlight

Gordon Hayward averaged 21.9 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 34.5 minutes per contest. He also averaged 5.4 rebounds per contest and 3.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 47% and his free throw percentage was 84%. Kyrie Irving averaged 25.2 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 3.2 rebounds per game and had 5.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 47% and his free throw percentage finished at 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks allowed 103.8 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 9th in the league. They also allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 42.5 rebounds a game which ranked 8th, and they gave up 24.1 assists per contest which put them in 27th place in the league. They forced 14.7 turnovers per game which ranked them 22nd in the league. Milwaukee averaged 103.6 points per contest last season, which ranked them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was -0.18 and their shooting percentage was 47% as a team, which had them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shot 37% which was good for 10th in the league. They averaged 40.4 rebounds per game and 24.2 assists per game, which ranked them 29th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 12th with 14 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrendered 105.4 points per contest, which ranked them 15th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They ranked 12th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 24th with 44.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics were 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game last season. Boston was 7th in the league with 108 points per game last year. They were 16th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was 2.63. They shot 36% from 3-point range, which was good for 14th in the NBA. They were 26th in the league in rebounding with 42 boards per game and 3rd in assists per contest with 25.2. The Celtics were 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks were 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.1, and their defensive rating of 109.3 was ranked 11th last season. In terms of pace they were 26th in the league with 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% was 7th. As a team they were 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Milwaukee was 10th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 52%, which was 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

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

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston +5.5

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