The Boston Celtics (22-4) head to San Antonio to take on the Spurs (17-8) in a game that has the potential to be low-scoring. The game can be seen on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8, 2017.
San Antonio is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 197 points.
Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs Free Prediction
The Celtics will be looking for similar success after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in their last outing, 97-90. Boston’s 18.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Dallas, who had a mark of 12.0. The Celtics’ mark was below their season average of 21.8, while the Mavericks’ was below their season average of 18.5. Al Horford had a solid performance for Boston, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
In the Spurs’ last matchup, they defeated the Miami Heat, 117-105. The Spurs forced 18 turnovers and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.3 (above their season average of 24.0). With 16 points and seven rebounds, Rudy Gay had a solid performance for San Antonio.
Points could be at a premium in this contest between two of the league’s top defenses. San Antonio ranks second in defensive efficiency (101.0) and Boston is first (99.2).
Boston heads into the contest with records of 22-4 straight up (SU) and 19-6-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when setting the total of Celtics games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, San Antonio is 17-8 SU and 13-10-2 ATS. Of the Spurs’ 25 games, 15 have finished under the projected point total.
Horford has averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over the last five games for Boston.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Horford recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the first matchup, in which the Celtics beat the Spurs 108-94, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 202 points, which was 8.5 points above the projected point total of 193.5 points. The Celtics had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.9 vs. 23.5) and had a better free throw rate (0.148 vs. 0.115).
Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Boston is 10-2 ATS on the road with 6 overs and 6 unders.
At home, San Antonio is 9-4-1 ATS with 8 overs and 6 unders.
When holding opponents under 100 points, San Antonio is 11-4 and Boston is 16-0.
The Spurs are 12-0 when they reach 100 points, while the Celtics are 16-2.
Boston ranks ninth in three pointers attempted per game (30.7) while San Antonio ranks 25th (25.0).
The Spurs rank second in blocks per game (6.2) while the Celtics rank 15th (4.6).
Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.8) while San Antonio ranks 12th (7.7).
The Spurs rank 17th in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while the Celtics rank 28th (13.9).
San Antonio ranks 21st in points in the paint per game (41.3) while Boston ranks 27th (39.5).
The Spurs rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.0) while the Celtics rank 10th (42.2).
Boston ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (20.8) while San Antonio ranks 11th (21.8).
The Spurs are second in the NBA with 9.9 second chance points allowed per game while the Celtics are third with 10.2 second chance points allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
San Antonio is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, down from 7.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 99.8 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 92.4 points per game (4.9 below their season average).
