Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction, 8/21/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers

Date: Friday, August 21, 2020

Location: The Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 216

Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics head to The Field House on Friday where they'll meet the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their series. Philadelphia opens this game as 4.5-point underdogs. The O/U has been set at 216.

Boston leads the series after winning Game 2 by a score of 128-101. Jayson Tatum finished the contest with 33 pts, 5 boards, and 5 assists. Joel Embiid had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 dimes in the losing effort for Philly.

The Celtics are covering 61.4% of the time, having gone 43-27-4 ATS. Philadelphia is covering 43.7% of the time, going 31-40-4 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

08/18/20 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

08/16/20 SG Glenn Robinson III Hip is out indefinitely
08/06/20 SG Ben Simmons Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 23.4 points per game in 34.3 minutes per contest. He averages 3.0 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Marcus Smart comes into this contest averaging 12.9 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 38% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Tobias Harris averages 19.6 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.9 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Joel Embiid averages 23.0 points per game while playing 29.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 11.6 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 107.3 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 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they give up 22.4 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league. Boston averages 113.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 23.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The 76ers surrender 108.4 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest, and 1st with 41.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game. Philadelphia is 20th in the league with 110.7 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 2.4. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 8th in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game and 8th in assists per contest with 25.8. The 76ers are 21st in turnovers per game with 14.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.3, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 16th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 18th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league. The 76ers are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.3, and their defensive rating of 109 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 11th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/76ers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -4.5

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