Offense meets defense when the Portland Trail Blazers (9-3) welcome the Boston Celtics (7-5) to Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 11, 2018.
Portland opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 216 points.
Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction
In the Celtics’ last game, they were beaten by the Utah Jazz, 123-115, and failed to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (238) were well over the O/U total of 204. Utah’s 25.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Boston, who had a rate of 11.9. The Jazz’s mark was above their season average of 22.8, while the Celtics’ was below their season average of 21.7. Boston’s Marcus Smart played well, finishing with 13 points and 10 assists.
The Trail Blazers were victorious over the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game, 116-105, covering as 5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (221) finished under the projected point total of 225.5. The Trail Blazers held the Clippers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.2 (below their season average of 22.6). The Clippers had a free throw rate of 0.169 (below their season average of 0.283). Damian Lillard was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 11-for-25 shooting from the field.
After the Celtics won both matchups against the Trail Blazers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Boston won 105-100. Boston did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (24-26; 92.3 percent). Portland, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (7.6 vs. 12.8).
Boston heads into the game with records of 7-5 straight up (SU) and 4-8 against the spread (ATS). Celtics games have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Portland owns records of 9-3 SU and 9-3 ATS. Much like to Boston, Trail Blazers games have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Jusuf Nurkic has averaged 17.4 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five games for Portland.
This matchup pits one of the NBA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Portland currently ranks third in offensive efficiency and Boston ranks first in defensive efficiency. Also, the Celtics rank fifth in turnover percentage (12.7 percent), while the Trail Blazers rank 29th in opponents’ turnover percentage (11.1 percent).
Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 2-6 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
Portland is 6-2 ATS at home with 4 overs and 4 unders.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Boston is 3-1 and Portland is 3-0.
When reaching 100 points, the Trail Blazers are 9-3 and the Celtics are 7-4.
Boston ranks first in blocks allowed per game (3.5) while Portland ranks 21st (6.3).
The Trail Blazers rank second in rebounds per game (51.9) while the Celtics rank 18th in rebounds allowed per game (47.4).
Portland ranks 12th in second chance points per game (14.3) while Boston ranks 27th (10.8).
The Celtics rank third in fast break points allowed per game (10.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 17th (13.9).
Boston averages 37.3 three pointers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Portland ranks 16th in three pointers allowed per game (31.1).
The Celtics rank 13th in assists per game (24.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 26th (20.3).
Portland ranks 20th in points in the paint per game (45.8) while Boston ranks last (37.7).
The Celtics rank 23rd in points off turnovers per game (15.5) while the Trail Blazers rank last (13.6).
Boston and Portland average 6.4 steals allowed per game, which ranks second in the league.
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, Boston is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Portland is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Boston has defeated opponents by an average of 2.3 points.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 117.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.4 points per game (2.8 below their season average).
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