Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Prediction, 8/17/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics

Date: Monday, August 17, 2020

Location: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

HP Field House is the site where Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (48-24, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) will play the Philadelphia 76ers (42-30, 3rd in the Atlantic Division) on Monday in Game 1 of their series. Philadelphia opens this contest as 3.5-point dogs. The over/under opens at 218.

The 76ers are covering the spread 44.9% of the time, having gone 31-38-4 ATS. Boston is covering 60.3% of the time, going 41-27-4 against the spread.

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

08/14/20 SG Glenn Robinson III Hip is questionable Monday vs Boston
08/06/20 SG Ben Simmons Knee is out for season

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

08/15/20 SG Romeo Langford Wrist is doubtful Monday vs Philadelphia
08/14/20 SF Jayson Tatum Ankle is probable Monday vs Philadelphia
08/14/20 PF Daniel Theis Foot is questionable Monday vs Philadelphia
08/12/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is probable Monday vs Philadelphia

Player Spotlight

Tobias Harris averages 19.6 points per game in 34.3 minutes per contest. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 11.9 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 20.4 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 4.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Jayson Tatum averages 23.4 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The 76ers allow 108.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.8 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they give up 22.8 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league. Philadelphia averages 110.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 45.4 rebounds per game and 25.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 10th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 107.3 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 22.4 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game. Boston is 9th in the league with 113.7 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 23.0. The Celtics are 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

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

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

Josh's Pick: Take Philadelphia +3.5

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