Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Predictions, NBA Picks 3/12/2020

Game: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Milwaukee -2

Total/Over-Under: 230

Fiserv Forum is the venue where Eric Bledsoe and the Milwaukee Bucks (53-12, 1st in the Central Division) will take on the Boston Celtics (43-21, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) on Thursday. The spread on this matchup has Milwaukee as 2 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 230.

The Celtics cover the spread 62.3% of the time, having gone 38-23-3 ATS. Milwaukee is covering 55.4% of the time, going 36-29-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

03/11/20 SG Jaylen Brown Hamstring is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs Milwaukee
03/11/20 PG Kemba Walker Hand injured last game, is probable Thursday vs Milwaukee

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

03/10/20 SF Giannis Antetokounmpo Knee is questionable Thursday vs Boston
03/10/20 PG Eric Bledsoe Knee is questionable Thursday vs Boston
03/10/20 PG George Hill Shoulder is questionable Thursday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker comes into this game averaging 21.2 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 87%. Jayson Tatum averages 23.6 points per contest in 34.6 minutes per game. He averages 2.9 assists per game and 7.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Bledsoe scores 15.4 points per contest while playing 27.2 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.6 rebounds per contest and has 5.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Khris Middleton averages 21.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.2 rebounds per game and has 4.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 113.0 points per contest, which is 11th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 17th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 46.0 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 13.6 per game. The Celtics allow 106.8 points per contest, which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they allow 22.2 assists per game which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 1st in the NBA with 118.6 points per contest this season. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 11.29. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 16th in the league. They are 1st in the NBA in rebounding with 51.7 boards per contest and 6th in assists per game with 25.9. The Bucks are 11th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Bucks give up 107.4 points per game, which ranks them 5th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 41% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 1st and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.8 dimes allowed per game and 21st with 45.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks are 13th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.9, and their defensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 16th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 17th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA. The Bucks are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 101.9, and their offensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 1st. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 105 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 1st. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Milwaukee -2

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