Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 3/4/2020

Game: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -8.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-44, 5th in the Central Division) host the Boston Celtics (41-18, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Cleveland opens this game as 8.5 point underdogs. The over/under is set at 226.

The Celtics cover 64.9% of the time, having gone 37-20-2 ATS. Cleveland is covering the spread 45.8% of the time, going 27-32-2 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

03/02/20 PG Marcus Smart Illness is questionable Tuesday vs Brooklyn
03/02/20 SF Jayson Tatum Illness is questionable Tuesday vs Brooklyn
03/02/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Brooklyn

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

03/02/20 PG Darius Garland Groin is questionable Wednesday vs Boston
03/02/20 C Andre Drummond Calf is questionable Wednesday vs Boston
03/02/20 SF Alfonzo McKinnie Plantar Fasciitis is questionable Wednesday vs Boston
03/02/20 C Tristan Thompson Knee is questionable Wednesday vs Boston
02/26/20 PG Dante Exum Ankle is out indefinitely
01/13/20 SG Dylan Windler Leg is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown comes into this contest averaging 20.4 points per game while playing 34.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Jayson Tatum averages 23.5 points per game in 34.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 7.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Kevin Love averages 17.4 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.6 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Collin Sexton averages 20.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 113.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 46.0 rebounds per game and 23.0 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.7 per game. The Celtics allow 106.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 22.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 26th in the league with 106.6 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -8.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.1 boards per game, and 25th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Cavaliers are 1st in turnovers per game with 16.4. The Cavaliers surrender 114.9 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 26.4 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 42.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 106.5, and their offensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 4th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Boston is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 1st in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 115.6, and their offensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 29th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 22nd. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -8.5

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