Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 11/8/2018

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, November 8, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 8.5 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 6-4. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 2.9 as they average 104.2 points per contest while giving up 101.3 per game. The Suns have an overall mark of 2-8. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They total 100.6 points per contest and give up 113.8, which is a point differential of -13.2.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 4-6-0 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 4-6-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 4-6-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 4-6-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/29/18 F Daniel Theis Plantar Fasciitis is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 19.2 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 81%. Jayson Tatum averages 15.7 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.7 assists per contest and 7.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 24.9 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per game and has 6.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. T.J. Warren averages 13.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 23.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.9 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 47.4 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.1 per game. The Celtics allow 101.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.3 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 21.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 30th in the league with 100.6 points per game this year. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -13.2. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 42.2 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 23.7. The Suns are 2nd in turnovers per game with 18.5. The Suns surrender 113.8 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 50% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 27.1 assists allowed per contest and 7th with 42.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 101.7, and their offensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 1st. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 21st. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Boston is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 1st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the league. The Suns are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.3, and their defensive rating of 114.6 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 20th. As a team they are 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -8.5

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