Boston Celtics vs Utah Jazz Predictions, NBA Picks Today 2/26/2020

Game: Boston Celtics vs Utah Jazz

Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, UT

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Utah -2

Total/Over-Under: 222

Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz (36-21, 2nd in the Northwest Division) host the Boston Celtics (39-17, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Utah opens this matchup as 2 point favorites. The O/U opens at 222.

The Celtics are covering 63.0% of the time, having gone 34-20-2 ATS. Utah is covering the spread 50.0% of the time, going 28-28-1 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

02/24/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is downgraded to out Tuesday vs Portland

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this game averaging 22.9 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 82%. Jaylen Brown averages 20.3 points per contest in 33.7 minutes per game. He averages 2.2 assists per game and 6.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% for the season while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Rudy Gobert scores 15.5 points per contest while playing 34.6 minutes per game. He hauls in 14.3 rebounds per contest and has 1.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 69% and his free throw percentage is at 62%. Donovan Mitchell averages 24.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.3 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 113.3 points per contest, which is 9th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 15th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They average 45.9 boards per contest and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 23rd with 13.8 per game. The Celtics allow 106.6 points per contest, which is 4th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 5th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.0 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they allow 22.4 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah is 16th in the NBA with 111.1 points per contest this season. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.18. They shoot 38% from beyond the arc, which is good for 1st in the league. They are 13th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.5 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 22.1. The Jazz are 10th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Jazz give up 107.9 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20.9 dimes allowed per game and 4th with 42.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Jazz are 2nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 4th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. As a unit they are 9th 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 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Utah is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Jazz are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.1, and their defensive rating of 108.9 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston +2

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