The Boston Celtics (9-6) take on the Utah Jazz (7-8) at TD Garden. The game can be seen on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
Boston is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 208 points.
Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics Free Prediction
In the Jazz’s last matchup, they were 5-point favorites and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 113-107. The total points for the game (220) were over the O/U total of 212. Philadelphia launched 23 three pointers, making 11 of them (47.8 percent). Utah, meanwhile, was just 4-22 (18.2 percent). Donovan Mitchell was the top scorer from either team with 31 points on 13-for-35 shooting.
The Celtics were victorious over the Toronto Raptors in their last game, 123-116, but were not able to cover as 13-point favorites. The game’s combined points (239) came in well over the O/U total of 212.5. Boston had an effective field goal percentage of 0.579 (above their season average of 0.504). Toronto, meanwhile, forced the Celtics into a turnover percentage of 15.3 (above their season average of 11.6). Kyrie Irving was the top scorer from either team with 43 points on 18-for-26 shooting from the field.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Boston currently ranks 21st in possessions per game (101.7) and Utah is 22nd (101.7).
Utah holds records of 7-8 straight up (SU) and 7-7 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Jazz are involved, as 64.3 percent of their games have ended over the O/U total.
Boston has a solid 9-6 SU record, but they struggle covering the spread (5-9 ATS). Unlike Utah, Celtics games have typically gone under the O/U total (57.1 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Rudy Gobert recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Jazz beat the Celtics 123-115, covering as 5.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 238 points, which was 34 points above the projected point total of 204 points. The Jazz had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.8 vs. 11.9) and had a better free throw rate (0.312 vs. 0.227).
Jazz at Celtics Odds Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while Boston ranks 24th (47.6).
Boston ranks third in assists allowed per game (21.7) while Utah ranks sixth (22.1).
The Celtics allow the fewest blocks per game (3.4) while the Jazz rank third (4.3).
Boston is 3-2 ATS at home, while Utah is 4-4 ATS on the road.
Bettings Trends:
In its last five games, Utah is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Boston is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 1.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 111.8 points per game (5.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.0 points per game (3.1 above their season average).
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