Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Fox Sports Southwest - Dallas

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -1

Total/Over-Under: 215.5

Tim Hardaway and the Dallas Mavericks (18-8, 1st in the Southwest Division) host the Boston Celtics (17-7, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Boston opens this contest as 1 point favorites. The over/under is set at 215.5.

The Celtics are covering 63.6% of the time, having gone 14-8-2 ATS. Dallas covers the spread 61.5% of the time, going 16-10-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/16/2019 Jayson Tatum PF Illness Game Time Decision
12/16/2019 Robert Williams C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 6
12/13/2019 Marcus Smart PG Eye Game Time Decision

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/15/2019 Luka Doncic SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 26

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 20.6 points per game in 34.2 minutes per contest. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Jaylen Brown comes into this contest averaging 19.3 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis averages 17.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.0 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 73%. Tim Hardaway averages 13.0 points per game while playing 25.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 104.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they give up 22.8 assists per contest which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league. Boston averages 110.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 45.2 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 14th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 13.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mavericks surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 23.3 assists allowed per contest, and 12th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game. Dallas is 3rd in the league with 118.2 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 9.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 8th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 48.1 boards per game and 13th in assists per contest with 24.7. The Mavericks are 30th in turnovers per game with 12.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 104.6, and their offensive rating of 111.4 is ranked 7th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 16th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA. Boston is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Mavericks are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 108.7, and their offensive rating of 117.6 is ranked 15th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 45% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -1

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