The Washington Wizards (11-16) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top shooting defense when they take on the Boston Celtics (16-10) at Capital One Arena. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.
Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards ATS Odds
The Celtics come in on a high note after comfortably covering the 2.5-point spread against the New Orleans Pelicans in their last outing, 113-100. The Wizards, meanwhile, were beaten by the Indiana Pacers, 109-101, and failed to cover as 6-point underdogs. The Boston game finished 9.5 points under the projected point total of 222.5, while the Washington game went 6 points under the projected point total of 216.
Boston played a nearly perfect game. They had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 29.8 (above their season average of 22.3) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.556 (above their season average of 0.526). For those same stats, New Orleans was 14.0 and 0.494, respectively. Washington, on the other hand, forced Indiana into a turnover percentage of 21.2 (above their season average of 13.3). Bradley Beal played well for Washington with 30 points. Marcus Morris had a good game for Boston, finishing with 31 points.
The Wizards edged out the Celtics in this series last year, taking three out of four contests. In the most recent contest, Washington won 113-101. Washington made 15 of its 30 three pointers (50.0 percent). Boston, meanwhile, did a terrific job of converting from the free throw line (22-27; 81.5 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
A little over half of the Celtics’ games have finished over the total. Boston heads into the contest with records of 16-10 straight up (SU) and 13-13 against the spread (ATS).
Wizards games tend to finish over the total (59.3 percent). Additionally, Washington is 11-16 SU and 10-16-1 ATS.
Second-chance points might be scarce for Washington in this showdown. The Wizards currently rank 26th in offensive rebounding percentage (19.8 percent), while Boston ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.3 percent). Moreover, the Celtics rank third in turnover percentage (12.6 percent), while the Wizards rank fifth in opponents’ turnover percentage (15.4 percent).
Celtics vs. Wizards ATS Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 1 in blocks allowed per game (3.6538461538461537) while the Wizards rank 14 (4.925925925925926).
- Boston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.7) while Washington ranks 27th (25.5).
- The Celtics rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.7) while the Wizards rank 19th (17.6).
- Boston ranks 10th in rebounds per game (46.3) while Washington ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (48.6).
- Washington ranks 15 in points in the paint per game (47.925925925925924) while Boston ranks 29 (41.30769230769231).
- The Celtics rank third in fast break points allowed per game (10.7) while the Wizards rank 24th (15.0).
- The Celtics rank 9 in second chance points allowed per game (12.26923076923077) while the Wizards rank 26 (15.074074074074074).
- Boston ranks 4 in steals allowed per game (6.846153846153846) while Washington ranks 13 (7.592592592592593).
- Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (36.5) while Washington ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (32.4).
- Boston is 7-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Washington is 3-0.
- The Celtics are 16-7 when they score more than 100 points, while the Wizards are 11-14.
- Washington is 6-5-1 ATS at home, while Boston is 6-9 ATS on the road.
- The Celtics have 8 overs and 7 unders in 15 road games.
- The Wizards have 8 overs and 4 unders in 12 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Wizards are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Washington has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Celtics\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 27.8, up from 7.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 109.0 points per game (2.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.4 points per game (9.0 below their season average).
