Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 3/18/2018

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, March 18, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boston as 2 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 47-22. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.3 as they are averaging 104.6 points per contest while giving up 100.3 per game. The Pelicans have an overall record of 39-29. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 111.9 points per game and surrendering 111.5, good for a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 42-25-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 35-32-2 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 36-32-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 41-27-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
03/12/18 F Daniel Theis Knee is out for season
03/12/18 G Marcus Smart Thumb is out indefinitely
03/09/18 F Jaylen Brown Concussion is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this game averaging 24.4 points per contest while playing 32.2 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 89%. Al Horford averages 12.9 points per contest in 31.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.8 assists per game and 7.5 rebounds per contest for Boston. His field goal percentage is 50% for the season while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis has scored 28 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 11.2 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.3 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.4 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.6 points per contest this year, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.26 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They average 44.5 boards per contest and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 20th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 100.3 points per contest which is 3rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 20.8 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 4th in the NBA with 111.9 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.35. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 15th in the league. They are 13th in the NBA in rebounding with 44 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 26.5. The Pelicans are 8th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Pelicans give up 111.5 points per game, which ranks them 29th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 11th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24.2 dimes allowed per game and 27th with 45.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 17th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 103.6, and their offensive rating of 108 is ranked 30th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Boston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 109.2, and their offensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 14th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -2

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