Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons NBA Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Little Ceasars Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Little Ceasars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 3 point favorites.

The Celtics have a record of 17-10. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 7.5 as they average 111.1 points per game while giving up 103.6 per contest. The Pistons have an overall mark of 13-13. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They total 109.0 points per contest and give up 110.2, which is a point differential of -1.2.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 14-13-0 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 15-12-0 against the over/under

Important Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 13-13-0 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 12-13-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/13/18 F Al Horford Knee is downgraded to out Friday vs Atlanta
12/13/18 SF Gordon Hayward Illness is questionable Friday vs Atlanta
12/12/18 G Jaylen Brown Illness is questionable Friday vs Atlanta

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/13/18 SF Reggie Bullock Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Boston
12/12/18 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely
12/07/18 PG Ish Smith Groin is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 16.4 points per game in 31.3 minutes per contest. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 6.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 22.5 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Player Spotlight

Reggie Jackson averages 15.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 28.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 87%. Blake Griffin averages 25.6 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.1 rebounds per game and has 5.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 103.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.0 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league. Boston averages 111.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 46.4 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per contest, which ranks them 9th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 12.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pistons surrender 110.2 points per contest, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest, and 15th with 44.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pistons are 17th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game. Detroit is 20th in the league with 109.0 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -1.2. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.5 boards per game and 26th in assists per contest with 21.7. The Pistons are 18th in turnovers per game with 14.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.3, and their defensive rating of 103.7 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 11th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league. Boston is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Detroit is 22nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Pistons are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 108.6, and their offensive rating of 107.4 is ranked 12th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit +3

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