Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Predictions, Free NBA Pick 2/29/2020

Game: Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics

Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 230

Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics (41-17, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) host the Houston Rockets (38-20, 1st in the Southwest Division) at TD Garden on Saturday, February 29, 2020. The spread on this game has Boston as 1.5 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 230.

The Rockets cover the spread 50.0% of the time, having gone 29-29-0 ATS. Boston is covering 64.3% of the time, going 36-20-2 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

02/27/20 SG Eric Gordon Knee is questionable Saturday vs Boston

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

02/27/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is questionable Saturday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this game averaging 35.2 points per contest while playing 36.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 27.3 points per contest in 35.9 minutes per game. He averages 7.2 assists per game and 7.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% for the season while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown scores 20.4 points per contest while playing 33.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.4 rebounds per contest and has 2.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Jayson Tatum averages 23.3 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 118.9 points per contest, which is 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 45.2 boards per contest and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 15th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 18th with 14.5 per game. The Rockets allow 114.1 points per contest, which is 21st in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 8th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.8 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 25.5 assists per game which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 8th in the NBA with 113.4 points per contest this season. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.93. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 7th in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.9 boards per contest and 24th in assists per game with 23.1. The Celtics are 23rd in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Celtics give up 106.5 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 4th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 22.3 dimes allowed per game and 10th with 43.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Celtics are 21st in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.4, and their defensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 23rd in the NBA 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 26th in the league. The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.5, and their defensive rating of 106.5 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -1.5

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