Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz NBA Picks & Predictions 3/28/2018

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Vivint Smart Home Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Vivint Smart Home Arena to take on the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boston as 2 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 51-23. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.0 as they are averaging 104.2 points per contest while giving up 100.2 per game. The Jazz have an overall mark of 42-32. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 103.5 points per contest and giving up 100.2, which is a point differential of 3.3.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 45-27-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 36-36-2 against the over/under

Important Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 39-34-1 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 34-39-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
03/27/18 F Marcus Morris Ankle injured last game, is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Utah
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

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

01/13/18 F Thabo Sefolosha Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Al Horford comes into this game averaging 12.8 points per contest while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 7.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 75%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.7 points per contest in 30.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.5 assists per game and 5.1 rebounds per contest for Boston. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Donovan Mitchell has scored 20.3 points per contest while playing 33.3 minutes per game this season for the Jazz. He hauls in 3.7 rebounds per contest and has 3.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Rudy Gobert averages 14 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 10.8 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.2 points per contest this year, which is 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.05 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They average 44.4 boards per contest and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 17th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 100.2 points per contest which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 20.8 assists per game which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah is 23rd in the NBA with 103.5 points per contest this season. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 3.34. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 13th in the league. They are 20th in the NBA in rebounding with 43 boards per contest and 23rd in assists per game with 22. The Jazz are 13th in turnovers per contest with 14.6. The Jazz give up 100.2 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 7th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20 dimes allowed per game and 5th with 41.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Jazz are 24th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 103.6, and their offensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 30th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96 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 36% 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

Utah is 7th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 24th in the NBA. The Jazz are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 104.3, and their offensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 29th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -2

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