The Utah Jazz (13-15) head to Boston to play the Celtics (24-6) in what should be a low-scoring game. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 198 points with Boston set as a 5.5-point favorite.
Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics ATS Prediction
The Jazz are trying to rebound after their 103-100 loss to the Chicago Bulls in their last game. Chicago’s 0.151 free throw rate was their largest strength over Utah, who had a mark of 0.077. The Bulls’ mark was above their season average of 0.144, while the Jazz’s was below their season average of 0.201. Donovan Mitchell was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 15-for-26 shooting.
The last time the Celtics played, they were victorious over the Denver Nuggets, 124-118. The Celtics, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.515, had a ridiculous mark of 0.665 and had a free throw rate of 0.241 (above their season average of 0.207). Kyrie Irving led Boston in scoring with 33 points on 12-for-19 shooting.
Baskets could be hard to come by as a pair of the NBA’s premier defenses clash. Boston currently ranks first in defensive efficiency (100.8) and Utah is fifth (102.5).
Utah heads into the contest with records of 13-15 straight up (SU) and 15-13 against the spread (ATS). Jazz games have gone over the total 50.0 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Boston is 24-6 SU and 20-8-2 ATS. Vegas is exceedingly accurate when predicting totals of Celtics games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Mitchell and Alec Burks have been playing well over the last five games for Utah. Mitchell has averaged 26.2 points, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Burks has recorded 19.8 points and 1.2 steals a game during that span.
After the Celtics won both contests against the Jazz last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Boston won 112-104. Boston was lights out from beyond the arc (13-30; 43.3 percent). Utah, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.7 vs. 10.3).
Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 4-8 ATS with 7 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
At home, Boston is 9-4-2 ATS with 8 overs and 7 unders.
Boston is 17-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Utah is 8-2.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Celtics are 17-3 and the Jazz are 11-7.
Utah ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (19.2) while Boston ranks 28th (13.7).
The Celtics rank ninth in rebounds per game (44.8) while the Jazz rank 26th (40.3).
Utah ranks fifth in blocks per game (5.3) while Boston ranks 21st (4.4).
The Jazz rank second in steals per game (9.5) while the Celtics rank 17th (7.7).
Boston ranks third in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Utah ranks 10th (11.6).
The Jazz rank 21st in points in the paint per game (41.3) while the Celtics rank 26th (39.6).
Utah ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (25.9) while Boston ranks seventh (26.5).
The Jazz allow the second-fewest assists per game (18.8) while the Celtics rank fifth (20.6).
Utah is third in the NBA with 8.6 fast break points allowed per game while Boston is fourth with 8.6 fast break points allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Boston is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.0, down from 2.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 99.8 points per game (4.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.4 points per game (2.4 above their season average).
