Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz Pick & Predictions 3/18/23

Boston Celtics (49-22 SU, 36-33-2 ATS) vs. Utah Jazz (33-36 SU, 37-29-3 ATS)

When: Saturday, March 18th, 9:00 PM (ET)

Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, UT, Salt Lake City

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Bos -6/UT +6 (Deposit $300, get $300 FREE when you use bonus code PREDICT100 at MyBookie Sportsbook!)

Total: 233.5

Money Line: Boston Celtics -250/+200

Notable Injuries

Celtics

• Danilo Gallinari (Out) Knee
• Malcolm Brogdon (Questionable) Achilles
• Robert Williams III (Out) Hamstring
• Payton Pritchard (Out) Heel

Jazz

• Jordan Clarkson (Questionable) Hand
• Collin Sexton (Out) Hamstring

Recent Form

Heading into the game, Boston is 49-22 overall. When taking to the road, Boston has a mark of 23-13 and a win percentage of 64%. Currently, the team is 2nd in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 36-33-2 vs. the spread. In their matchup against Utah, the Boston Celtics have won 2 straight games and will look to push that mark to 3 in a row.

The Celtics came away with a win in their last matchup against the Trail Blazers, achieving a 126-112 victory as 6-point favorites. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with an impressive performance, scoring 34 points on a shooting percentage of 40.0%. In addition to the win, the Celtics also covered the spread.

Heading into the game, Utah is 33-36 overall. When playing at home, Utah has a mark of 20-13 and a win percentage of 61%. Currently, the team is 11th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 37-29-3 vs. the spread. In Utah’s last five games, the Jazz have a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 4-1 in those games. Going back to the last 10, they are 4-6 and 6-3-1 ATS.

In their last game, Utah was defeated by Heat with a score of 119-115. Despite Lauri Markkanen scoring 38 points, the team was unable to come out on top. Going into the game, the Jazz were 8-point favorites.

The Historicals

In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Celtics averaged 127.5 points per game vs. Utah, an increase over their season-long average. While the Celtics saw a boost in scoring, the Jazz averaged 117.0 points per contest in a head-to-head meeting with Boston. This figure was similar to their season-long average. The level of competition has been tight in the five most recent games between the Celtics and Jazz, with just 1 point per game separating the teams. Utah has the ATS edge in this span at 3-2. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 3-2. Combined, they averaged 227 points in these games.

Analysis

For the season, Boston has put together one of the top-scoring offenses in the NBA at 117.6 points per game. When looking at their style of play, the team is currently near the league average in pace, averaging 99.5 possessions per contest. Boston’s offensive attack has benefited from some hot shooting from outside. Not only are they among the league leaders in 3-pointers attempted per game, but they are 7th in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.5%. Defensively, the Celtics have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 104.48 points per game. So far, they have done an excellent job defending the 3-point arc, allowing teams to hit just 33.86%.

Jayson Tatum is the top scorer for Boston, averaging 30.2 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 45.8%. The team’s second-leading scorer is Jaylen Brown, with an average of 26.8 points per game.

This season, Utah is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 117.2 points per game. So far, the Jazz are also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 100.2 possessions per game. The three-point shot has been a big part of Utah’s offensive game plan, as they are ranked 5th in 3-point attempts per game. So far, they have connected on 35.8% of their looks from outside. Defensively, the Jazz have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 107.57 points per game. So far, they have allowed a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.09%, placing them 15th in the NBA.

Heading into this matchup, Utah is in jeopardy of not having Jordan Clarkson in the lineup as he is questionable. This season, he is the team’s second-leading scorer at 20.8 points per game. So far, Lauri Markkanen leads the team in scoring and is averaging 25.4 points per contest.

Betting Trends

The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a losing straight-up record.
The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games.

The Jazz are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
The Jazz are 4-1-2 ATS in their last seven games following an ATS win.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Utah Jazz are playing good basketball! They get the Boston Celtics in an advantageous spot where the Celtics will be playing in the second game of a back-to-back with travel. The Celts may very well win the game, but +6.5 is too many! I’m betting the Jazz at +6.5 with confidence!

Analysis

For the season, Boston has put together one of the top-scoring offenses in the NBA at 117.6 points per game. When looking at their style of play, the team is currently near the league average in pace, averaging 99.5 possessions per contest. Boston’s offensive attack has benefited from some hot shooting from outside. Not only are they among the league leaders in 3-pointers attempted per game, but they are 7th in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.5%. Defensively, the Celtics have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 104.48 points per game. So far, they have done an excellent job defending the 3-point arc, allowing teams to hit just 33.86%.

Jayson Tatum is the top scorer for Boston, averaging 30.2 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 45.8%. The team’s second-leading scorer is Jaylen Brown, with an average of 26.8 points per game.

This season, Utah is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 117.2 points per game. So far, the Jazz are also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 100.2 possessions per game. The three-point shot has been a big part of Utah’s offensive game plan, as they are ranked 5th in 3-point attempts per game. So far, they have connected on 35.8% of their looks from outside. Defensively, the Jazz have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 107.57 points per game. So far, they have allowed a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.09%, placing them 15th in the NBA.

Heading into this matchup, Utah is in jeopardy of not having Jordan Clarkson in the lineup as he is questionable. This season, he is the team’s second-leading scorer at 20.8 points per game. So far, Lauri Markkanen leads the team in scoring and is averaging 25.4 points per contest.

More Picks: Get our Denver at NY Knicks betting analysis & pick 3/18/23

Betting Trends

The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a losing straight-up record.
The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games.

The Jazz are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
The Jazz are 4-1-2 ATS in their last seven games following an ATS win.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Utah Jazz are playing good basketball! They get the Boston Celtics in an advantageous spot where the Celtics will be playing in the second game of a back-to-back with travel. The Celts may very well win the game, but +6.5 is too many! I’m betting the Jazz at +6.5 with confidence! Hey! Are you still laying -110 odds when you bet your picks? Did you know that you could be laying only -105 elsewhere? Imagine how much money that would save you over the course of the year! Probably hundreds! Start saving big bucks today by making the switch to reduced juice sports betting at BetAnySports! You’ll be so glad you did!