Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/27/2018

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Thursday, December 27, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 1 point favorites.

The Celtics have a record of 20-13. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 6.6 as they average 111.6 points per game while giving up 105.0 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 18-15. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They total 109.3 points per contest and give up 108.5, which is a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 16-16-0 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 19-13-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 14-17-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 16-15-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/19/18 C Aron Baynes Hand is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/21/18 PG Chris Paul Hamstring is out indefinitely
12/11/18 SF James Ennis III Hamstring is out indefinitely
11/15/18 SF Carmelo Anthony Possible Trade is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 23.3 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Jayson Tatum averages 17.0 points per game in 31.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 6.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 32.3 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 8.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Eric Gordon averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.4 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 111.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.8 per game. The Celtics allow 105.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.8 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 22.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 19th in the league with 109.3 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 0.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 41.7 boards per game, and 27th in assists per contest with 21.3. The Rockets are 19th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Rockets surrender 108.5 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 21.9 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 43.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 104.7, and their offensive rating of 111.3 is ranked 3rd. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Boston is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 27th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Rockets are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.4, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston +1

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