The Boston Celtics (18-4), the NBA’s top scoring defense, will take on the Philadelphia 76ers (12-8) at TD Garden. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 30, 2017, and it can be seen on NBATV.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The last time the 76ers played, they beat the Washington Wizards, 118-113. Ben Simmons was the top scorer from either team with 31 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Philadelphia played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 42.9 (above their season average of 25.1) and a free throw rate of 0.506 (above their season average of 0.180). For those same stats, Washington was 14.0 and 0.360, respectively.
The Celtics are hoping for a better outcome after their 118-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons in their last contest. Marcus Smart led Boston in scoring with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Detroit had a turnover percentage of 7.8 (better than their season average of 13.1). Boston, on the other hand, was lights out from beyond the arc (16-33; 48.5 percent).
Boston could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. Boston ranks second in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.7 percent), while Philadelphia forces the fourth-fewest turnovers (13.3 percent). Contrasting tempos will be on display in this matchup. The fast-paced 76ers rank fourth in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Celtics rank 24th.
Of Philadelphia’s 19 games that accepted bets, 11 have finished over the O/U total, while 11 of Boston’s 22 games have finished over the O/U total. The Celtics have the clear advantage straight up (SU) (18-4 vs. 12-8) and a slight edge against the spread (ATS) (17-4-1 vs. 14-5).
Kyrie Irving has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Boston, averaging 31.0 points, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 194 points, well under the projected point total of 217. The Celtics won 102-92, covering as 3-point underdogs. The Celtics dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.262 and a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 29.8. For those same stats, the 76ers put up marks of 0.130 and 25.5, respectively. Irving scored a game-high 21 points.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – 76ers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.0) while the 76ers rank 24th (31.1).
- Boston ranks 16th in fast break points per game (9.8) while Philadelphia ranks 25th (8.4).
- Philadelphia ranks third in assists per game (25.6) while Boston ranks 18th (22.0).
- Philadelphia ranks 21st in points off turnovers per game (15.4) while Boston ranks 26th (14.4).
- Philadelphia is 7-3 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 3 unders.
- Boston is 7-2-1 ATS at home with 5 overs and 5 unders.
- Boston is 14-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Philadelphia is 4-0.
- The 76ers are 11-5 when they score above 100 points, while the Celtics are 13-2.
- The Celtics rank 14th in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while the 76ers rank 27th (5.8).
- Philadelphia ranks fifth in points in the paint per game (47.5) while Boston ranks 28th (38.7).
- The Celtics rank second in second chance points allowed per game (10.0) while the 76ers rank 23rd (13.6).
- The 76ers average 49.8 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the league. The Celtics rank ninth in rebounds allowed per game (42.4).
- Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.5) while Philadelphia ranks 21st (8.6).
Bettings Trends:
- Boston is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.4, down from 7.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 109.4 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 100.8 points per game (7.2 below their season average).
