Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 12/25/2017

Monday, December 25, 2017

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Washington Wizards head to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics on Monday, December 25, 2017. The opening line for this game has Boston as 4.5 point favorites.

The Wizards come into this game with an overall record of 18-15. They are 1st in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.1 as they are averaging 105.7 points per game while giving up 103.6 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 27-9. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.5 points per contest and giving up 98.2, which is a point differential of 5.3.

Valuable Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 16-17-0 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 11-22-0 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 22-12-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 18-17-1 against the over/under

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/24/17 SF Marcus Morris Knee is upgraded to "?" Monday vs Washington
12/24/17 F Semi Ojeleye Back is doubtful Monday vs Washington
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Bradley Beal comes into this game averaging 23 points per contest while playing 35.1 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 79%. John Wall averages 18.5 points per contest in 32.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 8.6 assists per game and 3.7 rebounds per contest for Washington. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving has scored 24.9 points per contest while playing 32.2 minutes per game this season for the Celtics. He hauls in 2.9 rebounds per contest and has 4.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.8 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 30.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.7 rebounds per game and 1.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington averages 105.7 points per contest this year, which is 13th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 2.06 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 16th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 43.3 boards per contest and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 26th with 13.8 per game. The Wizards allow 103.6 points per contest which is 12th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd, and they allow 21.5 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 20th in the NBA with 103.5 points per contest this season. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.31. They shoot 37% 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 24th in turnovers per contest with 13.9. The Celtics give up 98.2 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 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 20.2 dimes allowed per game and 18th with 43.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Celtics are 10th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Wizards are 12th in the league in defensive rating with 106, and their offensive rating of 108.1 is ranked 22nd. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 20th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA. Washington is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 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 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.2, and their defensive rating of 102.7 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 13th 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 Wizards/Celtics NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Washington +4.5

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