Boston Celtics at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/23/2018

Friday, March 23, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Moda Center to take on the Portland Blazers on Friday, March 23, 2018. The opening line for this game has Portland as 7.5 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 48-23. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.9 as they are averaging 104.3 points per contest while giving up 100.4 per game. The Blazers have an overall mark of 44-27. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.1 points per contest and giving up 103.2, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 43-26-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 35-34-2 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 39-28-4 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 30-41-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
03/22/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee 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 Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

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 12.7 points per contest in 31.6 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 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard has scored 26.6 points per contest while playing 36.4 minutes per game this season for the Blazers. He hauls in 4.4 rebounds per contest and has 6.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 91%. C.J. McCollum averages 21.5 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.9 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.3 points per contest this year, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.89 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 5th in the NBA. They average 44.6 boards per contest and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 18th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 100.4 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 21st, and they allow 20.9 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 15th in the NBA with 106.1 points per contest this season. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 2.93. They shoot 38% from beyond the arc, which is good for 3rd in the league. They are 3rd in the NBA in rebounding with 45.4 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 19.4. The Blazers are 24th in turnovers per contest with 13.6. The Blazers give up 103.2 points per game, which ranks them 5th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 4th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 20.1 dimes allowed per game and 15th with 42.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 2nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 103.6, and their offensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 30th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 16th. As a unit they are 16th 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 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 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

Portland is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 25th in the league. The Blazers are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 20th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Portland -7.5

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