Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics - 12/27/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics

Date: Friday, December 27, 2019

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -14

Total/Over-Under: 216

Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics (21-7, 1st in the Atlantic Division) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-21, 5th in the Central Division) at TD Garden on Friday, December 27, 2019. The line on this contest has Boston as 14 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 216.

The Cavaliers are covering the spread 41.4% of the time, having gone 12-17-1 ATS. Boston is covering 69.2% of the time, going 18-8-2 against the spread.

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/23/2019 Dylan Windler SG Lower Leg Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Dante Exum PG Not Injury Related Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Jr PF Knee Game Time Decision

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/24/2019 Marcus Smart PG Eye Expected to be out until at least Dec 27
12/18/2019 Vincent Poirier C Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 20
12/16/2019 Robert Williams C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 6

Player Spotlight

Collin Sexton comes into this contest averaging 17.8 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Kevin Love averages 16.2 points per game in 30.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 10.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown averages 20.2 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Jayson Tatum averages 21.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.2 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 104.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.0 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 4th with 16.2 per game. The Cavaliers allow 113.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 25.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 15th in the league with 111.4 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 20th in assists per contest with 23.3. The Celtics are 26th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Celtics surrender 103.2 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 44.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 114.3, and their offensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 29th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 26th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA. Cleveland is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 24th in the NBA. The Celtics are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 103.9, and their offensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 2nd. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 12th. 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 14th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Cleveland +14

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