Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Expert NBA Picks 12/1/2019

Game: Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks

Date: Sunday, December 1, 2019

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -7

Total/Over-Under: 209.5

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (13-5, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) are headed to Madison Square Garden on Sunday where they'll take on the New York Knicks (4-15, 5th in the Atlantic Division). Boston opens this matchup as 7 point favorites. The O/U is set at 209.5.

The Celtics are covering 62.5% of the time, having gone 10-6-2 ATS. New York covers the spread 52.6% of the time, going 10-9-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

11/27/2019 Tacko Fall C Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 8
11/23/2019 Romeo Langford SG Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 10
11/11/2019 Gordon Hayward SF Hand Expected to be out until at least Dec 25

Key New York Knicks Injuries

11/28/2019 Elfrid Payton PG Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Dec 1
11/13/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 20

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this game averaging 20.6 points per contest while playing 34.4 minutes per night this year. He grabs 7.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 82%. Jaylen Brown averages 18.7 points per contest in 33.3 minutes per game. He averages 2.1 assists per game and 7.3 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 73%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle scores 16.7 points per contest while playing 32.7 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.1 rebounds per contest and has 3.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 64%. Marcus Morris averages 18.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.2 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 110.6 points per contest, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.1 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 24th. From 3-point territory they shoot 34%, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 46.7 boards per contest and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 29th with 13.2 per game. The Celtics allow 104.5 points per contest, which is 8th in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 8th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 47.7 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 23.4 assists per game which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 16.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 29th in the NBA with 101.4 points per contest this season. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -7.74. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 6th in the league. They are 17th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.1 boards per contest and 29th in assists per game with 20.2. The Knicks are 14th in turnovers per contest with 15.4. The Knicks give up 109.2 points per game, which ranks them 13th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 17th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 22.9 dimes allowed per game and 12th with 45.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 12th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league. Boston is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 9th in the NBA. The Knicks are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 111.7, and their offensive rating of 103.8 is ranked 22nd. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 27th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +7

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