Celtics vs Bucks 1/16/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020

Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Milwaukee -3

Total/Over-Under: 224

Fiserv Forum is the site where Eric Bledsoe and the Milwaukee Bucks (36-6, 1st in the Central Division) will take on the Boston Celtics (27-11, 1st in the Atlantic Division) on Thursday. The odds on this game have Milwaukee as 3 point favorites. The O/U opens at 224.

The Celtics are covering the spread 61.1% of the time, having gone 22-14-2 ATS. Milwaukee is covering the spread 57.1% of the time, going 24-18-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

01/15/20 SF Jayson Tatum Knee is probable Wednesday vs Detroit
01/13/20 PF Daniel Theis Knee is questionable Wednesday vs Detroit

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker comes into this game averaging 21.7 points per contest while playing 31.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 87%. Jayson Tatum averages 21.3 points per contest in 34.0 minutes per game. He averages 2.8 assists per game and 6.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Bledsoe scores 15.4 points per contest while playing 26.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.6 rebounds per contest and has 5.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 30.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 12.7 rebounds per game and has 5.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 62%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 111.4 points per contest, which is 14th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 16th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 45.9 boards per contest and 23.3 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 22nd with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 104.3 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 6th and 9th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they allow 22.9 assists per game which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 1st in the NBA with 119.4 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 12.62. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 18th in the league. They are 1st in the NBA in rebounding with 51.8 boards per contest and 7th in assists per game with 25.9. The Bucks are 20th in turnovers per contest with 14.4. The Bucks give up 106.8 points per game, which ranks them 9th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 41% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 1st and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 24.0 dimes allowed per game and 21st with 46.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks are 14th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 104.8 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 52% is 16th. As a team they are 13th 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 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 22nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA. The Bucks are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 101.7, and their offensive rating of 113.7 is ranked 1st. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 104.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 1st. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Milwaukee -3

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