New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 1/16/2018

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boston as 4 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 22-20. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0 as they are averaging 111.0 points per game while giving up 111.0 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 34-10. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.0 points per contest and giving up 97.7, which is a point differential of 5.3.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 23-19-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 25-17-0 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 27-15-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 21-22-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/14/18 PG Jameer Nelson Personal is "?" Tuesday vs Boston

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
01/15/18 SF Jaylen Brown Knee injured last game, is "?" Tuesday vs New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this game averaging 18.4 points per contest while playing 36.8 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 82%. Demarcus Cousins averages 25.5 points per contest in 35.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.1 assists per game and 12.6 rebounds per contest for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 47% for the season while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum has scored 13.9 points per contest while playing 31 minutes per game this season for the Celtics. He hauls in 5.5 rebounds per contest and has 1.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Kyrie Irving averages 24 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.5 rebounds per game and 5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 111 points per contest this year, which is 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.02 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a unit, which has them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 42.6 boards per contest and 26.2 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 3rd with 16 per game. The Pelicans allow 111 points per contest which is 28th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 19th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.4 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 24 assists per game which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 22nd in the NBA with 103 points per contest this season. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.27. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 11th in the league. They are 8th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.5 boards per contest and 19th in assists per game with 22. The Celtics are 21st in turnovers per contest with 14. The Celtics give up 97.7 points per game, which ranks them 1st in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 1st and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 19.8 dimes allowed per game and 22nd with 43.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Celtics are 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 7th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA. New Orleans is 2nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 30th in the league. The Celtics are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.3, and their defensive rating of 101.8 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans +4

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn