With Kevin Durant and James Harden likely out on Friday, the battle between Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart could determine how this game goes.
Two of the big dogs from the Eastern Conference are set to go head-to-head for the third and final time this season when the Boston Celtics travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Friday night.
Brooklyn opened as a fairly sizeable 7-point favourite to win on the NBA odds with the total at 231.5.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Celtics haven’t given Brooklyn much of a problem this season. The Nets came out ahead in the previous two meetings between these teams with a 123-95 win in Boston on Christmas Day and a 121-109 win in Brooklyn in March.
After a year of underwhelming results, the Celtics are starting to look like the powerhouse they were expected to be before the season began. Boston has won seven of their last eight games and they’ve covered the spread in six straight road games. Defence has been key to their turnaround, so it’s not surprising to see they’ve been an Under team in 10 of their last 14 games.
Brooklyn is shining at home this season. They’re 23-7 overall at the Barclays Center and they’ve picked up wins in 10 of their last 11 home games. The Nets are only 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents, but it’s worth noting they’ve covered in their last five home games against Boston.
Boston Celtics
A surprising loss to Chicago on Monday has been the only blip on the radar over Boston’s last couple of weeks. The Celtics were able to bounce back from that tough loss, however, by taking out one of the best teams in the West, Phoenix, 99-86 on Thursday. It’s pretty crowded in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings, so even though Boston sits in sixth, a win on Friday would bump them up to fourth place and into home-court territory for the playoffs. They’re going to need Kemba Walker to have another big performance to get that win. Walker had a game-high 32 points against the Suns and looked strong on 11-of-17 shooting.
With Jaylen Brown out on Friday due to a shoulder injury, it will likely be up to Marcus Smart to guard Kyrie Irving. Smart has been playing great on the defensive side of the ball and he can contribute to the offence as well. He’s averaging 14.2 points, 6.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in the month of April. Although he seemed to struggle a little bit in his last two games, overall Jayson Tatum has been clutch for Boston since his return from a long COVID layoff. Through 10 games in April, he’s averaging 26.6 points, nine rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Tatum has also come up big against Brooklyn this year, combining for 51 points over the two games in this season series.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn’s 114-103 loss to Toronto on Wednesday is proof injuries are starting to take their toll on this roster. They’ve split their last 10 games down the middle and essentially alternated between wins and losses every game in the month of April. Despite their recent struggles, the Nets are still tied with Philadelphia for top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. A huge chunk of Brooklyn’s roster is expected to miss Friday night’s game. James Harden (hamstring), Chris Chiozza (hand) and Tyler Johnson (knee) could miss significant time and are ruled out for this game. Kevin Durant is questionable to play with a thigh injury.
A major offensive responsibility has fallen on Irving’s shoulders without Durant and Harden in the lineup. Irving is averaging 25.8 points, eight assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals over his last five games. He’s also been huge against Boston this season. Irving has a combined 77 points in this season series and will be relied on heavily again in this game.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Nets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 23 Apr 1:42pm | BOS | -5 -110 | O +230 -110 |
| Closing 23 Apr 11:06pm | BOS | -3.5 -110 | O +224.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
Injuries
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Tristan Thompson (C)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Alize Johnson (SF)
Jeff Green (SF)
Landry Shamet (PG)
Joe Harris (SG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Alize Johnson (SF)
Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Reggie Perry (PF)
Blake Griffin (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Tues | Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sat | Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Sat | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Tristan Thompson (C) | Prob Tues | Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 2-6-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jeff Green (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-7-1 | + - |
|
Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Landry Shamet (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 | 9-3 | 4-7-1 | + - |
|
Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Joe Harris (SG) | Prob Sat | Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 | 12-3 | 5-9-1 | + - |
|
Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Tues | Face - 11 / 05 / 21 | 13-3 | 6-9-1 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 | 16-7 | 8-14-1 | + - |
|
Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 | 17-8 | 8-16-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action. |
|||||
| Nicolas Claxton (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return. |
|||||
| Reggie Perry (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court. |
|||||
| Blake Griffin (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 | 20-9 | 11-17-1 | + - |
|
Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 23 Apr 1:42pm BOS -5 -110 O +230 -110 Closing 23 Apr 11:06pm BOS -3.5 -110 O +224.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
-
Injuries
Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Tristan Thompson (C)
Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21Alize Johnson (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21Jeff Green (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21Landry Shamet (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21Joe Harris (SG)
Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21Alize Johnson (SF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Reggie Perry (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Blake Griffin (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kemba Walker (PG) Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Robert Williams III (C) Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 1-3 3-1 + - Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 2-3 3-2 + - Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Kemba Walker (PG) Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tristan Thompson (C) Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alize Johnson (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 6-3 2-6-1 + - Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Jeff Green (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 8-3 3-7-1 + - Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Landry Shamet (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 9-3 4-7-1 + - Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round.
Joe Harris (SG) Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 12-3 5-9-1 + - Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21 13-3 6-9-1 + - Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 16-7 8-14-1 + - Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday.
Alize Johnson (SF) Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 17-8 8-16-1 + - Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action.
Nicolas Claxton (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return.
Reggie Perry (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court.
Blake Griffin (PF) Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 20-9 11-17-1 + - Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest.