New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 12/10/2018

Monday, December 10, 2018

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics on Monday, December 10, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 7 point favorites.

The Pelicans have a record of 13-14. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 2.1 as they average 118.1 points per game while giving up 115.9 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 15-10. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They total 110.3 points per contest and give up 102.9, which is a point differential of 7.4.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-15-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-11-0 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 12-13-0 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 14-11-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/08/18 F Al Horford Knee is downgraded to out Saturday vs Chicago
12/08/18 PG Kyrie Irving Shoulder is upgraded to probable Saturday vs Chicago
12/07/18 C Aron Baynes Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs Chicago
10/29/18 F Daniel Theis Plantar Fasciitis is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 20.4 points per game in 36.5 minutes per contest. He averages 9.1 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. Anthony Davis comes into this contest averaging 27.8 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 12.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving averages 21.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Jayson Tatum averages 16.4 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.4 rebounds per game and has 1.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 115.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.4 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they give up 25.4 assists per contest which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league. New Orleans averages 118.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.2 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 47.7 rebounds per game and 27.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 4th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 102.9 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 21.4 assists allowed per contest, and 17th with 45.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game. Boston is 15th in the league with 110.3 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 7.4. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game and 7th in assists per contest with 25.6. The Celtics are 28th in turnovers per game with 12.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.4, and their defensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 103.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. New Orleans is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA. The Celtics are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 103.3, and their offensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 2nd. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -7

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