Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 3/16/2018

Friday, March 16, 2018

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Amway Center to play the Orlando Magic on Friday, March 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 6 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 46-22. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.2 as they are averaging 104.7 points per contest while giving up 100.5 per game. The Magic have an overall record of 21-48. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 105.0 points per game and surrendering 109.6, good for a point differential of -4.6.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 41-25-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 35-31-2 against the over/under

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 33-35-1 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 30-39-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
03/15/18 C Al Horford Illness missed last game, is probable Friday vs Orlando
03/15/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is doubtful Friday vs Orlando
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 Orlando Magic Injuries

11/30/17 G Terrence Ross Knee is out indefinitely
03/15/18 F Aaron Gordon Concussion is "?" Friday vs Boston
03/09/18 G Evan Fournier Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 12.9 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 7.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 75%. Kyrie Irving averages 24.4 points per game in 32.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic averages 17.3 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per contest this year for the Magic. He grabs 9.1 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Jonathon Simmons averages 14 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.5 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.19 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 13.8 per game. The Celtics allow 100.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 18th in the league with 105 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -4.61. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They are 27th in the league in rebounding with 41 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 23.5. The Magic are 12th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Magic surrender 109.6 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 45.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 103.8, and their offensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 30th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 15th 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 18th 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

Orlando is 12th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA. The Magic are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 111.3, and their offensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 4th. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Orlando +6

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