Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics Predictions, NBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/2/2020

Game: Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics

Date: Sunday, August 2, 2020

Location: The Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -4

Total/Over-Under: 227.5

Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics (43-22, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) host the Portland Trail Blazers (30-37, 4th in the Northwest Division) at The Arena on Sunday. The spread on this matchup has Boston as 4-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 227.5.

The Blazers cover 43.1% of the time, having gone 28-37-2 ATS. Boston is covering 61.3% of the time, going 38-24-3 against the spread.

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
07/31/20 PG Jaylen Adams Back is questionable Sunday vs Boston
06/28/20 SF Trevor Ariza Personal is out for season

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Carmelo Anthony averages 15.4 points per game in 32.5 minutes per contest. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%. Hassan Whiteside comes into this contest averaging 16.1 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 14.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 62% while his free throw percentage is at 68%.

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown averages 20.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.3 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 74%. Marcus Smart averages 13.6 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers allow 115.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.4 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 24.7 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league. Portland averages 114.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.5 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 3rd in the league. They average 45.4 rebounds per game and 20.3 assists per contest, which ranks them 11th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 13.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 107 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 22.2 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game. Boston is 11th in the league with 113.0 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.0 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Celtics are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.7, and their defensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 14th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league. Portland is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league. The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.8, and their defensive rating of 106.9 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 53% is 20th. As a team they are 14th 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 Blazers/Celtics NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Portland +4

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