Boston Celtics at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 12/29/2018

Saturday, December 29, 2018

FedExForum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to FedExForum to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, December 29, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 3.5 point favorites.

The Celtics have a record of 20-14. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 6.0 as they average 111.6 points per game while giving up 105.7 per contest. The Grizzlies have an overall mark of 18-16. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They total 101.7 points per contest and give up 101.7, which is a point differential of 0.0.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 17-16-0 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 20-13-0 against the over/under

Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 17-17-0 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 12-21-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

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

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

10/27/18 SF Chandler Parsons Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 23.3 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Jayson Tatum averages 16.6 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 6.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Mike Conley averages 20.3 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.4 rebounds per game and has 6.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Marc Gasol averages 16.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.6 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 111.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.8 per game. The Celtics allow 105.7 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 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 22.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis is 29th in the league with 101.7 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 0.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 39.5 boards per game, and 20th in assists per contest with 23.1. The Grizzlies are 26th in turnovers per game with 12.9. The Grizzlies surrender 101.7 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest and 17th with 44.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Grizzlies are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 12th in the league in defensive rating with 105.5, and their offensive rating of 111.4 is ranked 4th. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 17th 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 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Memphis is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 21st in the NBA. The Grizzlies are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 106.5 is ranked 5th. They are 30th in the NBA in pace with 94.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 19th. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 20th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Memphis +3.5

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