Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons NBA Picks & Predictions 2/23/2018

Friday, February 23, 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 Friday, February 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Detroit as 7.5 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 40-19. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.5 as they are averaging 103.1 points per contest while giving up 99.6 per game. The Pistons have an overall record of 28-29. They currently are 4th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.4 points per game and surrendering 103.5, good for a point differential of -0.1.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 34-23-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 29-29-1 against the over/under

Important Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 26-29-2 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 25-32-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
02/21/18 SG Marcus Smart Hand is upgraded to probable Friday vs Detroit

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/27/17 PG Reggie Jackson Ankle is out indefinitely
11/25/17 F Jon Leuer Ankle is out for season
02/21/18 F Reggie Bullock Illness is "?" Friday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 24.7 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 3.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Al Horford averages 13.3 points per game in 32.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Andre Drummond averages 15.1 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest this year for the Pistons. He grabs 15.7 rebounds per game and has 3.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 63%. Blake Griffin averages 22.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 8 rebounds per contest and 5.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 103.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.51 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 22 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 99.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit is 23rd in the league with 103.4 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -0.11. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Pistons are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.6. The Pistons surrender 103.5 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.6 assists allowed per contest and 16th with 43.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pistons are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.8, and their defensive rating of 103.2 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 18th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league. Boston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Detroit is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Pistons are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 107.3, and their offensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 20th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 21st. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit -7.5

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