Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction, NBA Odds
The Celtics aim to continue their steady climb up the conference standings as they come out of the NBA All-Star Break on a steady 9-1 straight up run. The Nets remain severely shorthanded as they vie for just their third victory in 17 home contests.
Backed by 79% of sports bettors, the Celtics have made massive gains since opening a3.5-point favourites, and now sit as a -117 bet to cover as 7.5-point chalk. The Nets have tumbled to distant +268 moneyline underdogs. The total opened at 213.0, but with 93% of bets getting laid on the OVER, that number has climbed to 215.5, with -121 odds favouring the OVER.
Celtics vs. Nets NBA Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at Barclays Center marks the third of four regular-season meetings between these clubs. The Celtics romped to an easy 126-91 win when they visited Brooklyn on February 8, ending a four-game straight up slide versus the Nets in regular season action. However, the Celtics have failed to record consecutive wins over the Nets in 12 regular-season meetings, going 4-8 straight up and covering just three times over that stretch. The OVER paid out in their first two head-to-head clashes of the season, with total points. However, it has been the UNDER that has steadily paid out in dates at Barclays Center, going 5-2 in the Celtics’ past seven regular season visits to Brooklyn.
The Celtics have claimed victory in 16 of their past 21 outings, but has gone just 11-10 against the spread over that stretch. However, they have covered four times during a five-game road win streak. Losers in their previous 11, the Nets showed signs of a turnaround before the break, winning two of three. However, Brooklyn has won just three of 13 home contests, while going 2-11 against the spread. The Nets are also winless straight up and have covered just once in their past five while pegged as home underdogs by seven or more points.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics return to action in relatively good health. Both Robert Williams and Marcus Smart limped into the break with injuries, but are expected to see action on Thursday. Smart led all Boston shooters with 20 points in the Celtics’ 123-104 home loss to the Nets on November 24. More recently, Jaylen Brown led the attack, averaging 30 points in his final two appearances before the break, and led the way with 22 points and nine assists in the club’s win in Brooklyn earlier this month.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets will once again be without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons. Durant remains sidelined indefinitely by a knee injury, and Irving remains prohibited from playing home games due to COVID-19 regulations. And no date has yet been set for Simmons’ Brooklyn debut. That has forced role players to step up. Seth Curry has averaged 18.3 points in three outings since joining the team at the trade deadline, and veteran Patty Mills led the squad with 22 points in last Thursday’s 117-103 loss to the visiting Washington Wizards.
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