Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards NBA Picks & Predictions 2/8/2018

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Capital One Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Wizards on Thursday, February 8, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boston as 1 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 39-16. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.3 as they are averaging 103.0 points per game while giving up 98.7 per contest. The Wizards have an overall mark of 31-23. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 107.4 points per contest and giving up 105.6, which is a point differential of 1.8.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 33-20-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 26-28-1 against the over/under

Important Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 25-29-0 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 24-28-2 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
01/26/18 SG Marcus Smart Hand is out indefinitely

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

01/31/18 PG John Wall Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown comes into this game averaging 5.6 points per contest while playing 15 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 0.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 71%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.7 points per contest in 30.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.4 assists per game and 5.3 rebounds per contest for Boston. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Bradley Beal has scored 23.8 points per contest while playing 36.1 minutes per game this season for the Wizards. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Otto Porter averages 14 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.2 rebounds per game and 2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 103 points per contest this year, which is 25th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.35 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 24th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 44.4 boards per contest and 22.2 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 20th with 14 per game. The Celtics allow 98.7 points per contest which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 2nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they allow 20.3 assists per game which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington is 9th in the NBA with 107.4 points per contest this season. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.81. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 19th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.7 boards per contest and 5th in assists per game with 24. The Wizards are 19th in turnovers per contest with 14.2. The Wizards give up 105.6 points per game, which ranks them 14th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 21.8 dimes allowed per game and 18th with 43.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Wizards are 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 102.4, and their offensive rating of 107 is ranked 30th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 96 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 5th in the NBA. Boston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league. The Wizards are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 108 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 11th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Washington +1

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