Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Expert NBA Picks 1/9/2020

Game: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2020

Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Philadelphia -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

Tobias Harris and the Philadelphia 76ers (24-14, 3rd in the Atlantic Division) host the Boston Celtics (25-9, 1st in the Atlantic Division) at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Boston opens this matchup as 1.5 point dogs. The O/U has been set at 218.

The Celtics are covering 62.5% of the time, having gone 20-12-2 ATS. Philadelphia is covering 44.1% of the time, going 15-19-4 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

01/08/20 PF Daniel Theis Neck is questionable Wednesday vs San Antonio
01/07/20 PG Kemba Walker Illness missed last game, is questionable Wednesday vs San Antonio

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

01/07/20 PF Joel Embiid Finger is questionable Thursday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this game averaging 21.1 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Jaylen Brown averages 20.7 points per contest in 33.6 minutes per game. He averages 2.3 assists per game and 7.2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% for the season while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Tobias Harris scores 19.4 points per contest while playing 33.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.5 rebounds per contest and has 3.0 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Ben Simmons averages 14.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.5 rebounds per game and has 8.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is 59%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 110.9 points per contest, which is 14th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 16th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 46.2 boards per contest and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 23rd with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 103.5 points per contest, which is 1st in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 9th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they allow 22.8 assists per game which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia is 16th in the NBA with 109.8 points per contest this season. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.84. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 11th in the league. They are 11th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.0 boards per contest and 3rd in assists per game with 26.7. The 76ers are 14th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The 76ers give up 105.9 points per game, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 15th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 21.9 dimes allowed per game and 1st with 40.7 boards surrendered per contest. The 76ers are 8th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, and their defensive rating of 104.2 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 9th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 18th in the league. The 76ers are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 105.9 is ranked 5th. 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 8th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Philadelphia -1.5

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