The Celtics and Nets meet Tuesday with each club searching for traction in a crowded Eastern Conference.

Boston sits at 7-7 and 10th in the conference, but remains far more stable despite losing Jayson Tatum for the season. Brooklyn, meanwhile, enters at 2-11 and is winless at home, carrying a six-game home losing streak into this matchup. 

These teams have not been close in recent play: the Celtics are 6-4 over their last 10, while the Nets are 2-8 in the same span. Boston swept its two meetings against low-tier opponents by 29 and 32 points earlier this season. This will be the first of four meetings between the Celtics and Nets this season.

Boston is a 10.5-point favourite on the NBA odds, with the total set at 222.5.

Celtics vs. Nets NBA Betting Odds

The Celtics’ statistical edges are clear. They rank sixth in offensive rating compared with Brooklyn at 24th, while Boston sits 13th in defensive rating, and the Nets are dead last. The matchup also features two of the slowest-paced teams in the league: Boston ranks 30th in pace, Brooklyn 28th, which has contributed to a 6-8 O/U record for the Celtics. The Celtics also enter 5-9 against the spread, while the Nets are 5-8 against the spread. 

In light of both teams taking a high volume of threes (fourth and third in 3PA rate), neither gets many points in the paint, and both allow high free-throw rates. The Celtics are third in opponent field goal percentage allowed and 10th in three-point percentage defence. The Nets are 29th in three-point percentage defence, allowing opponents to shoot over 39 per cent from deep.

Boston Celtics

Boston remains competitive even without Tatum because Jaylen Brown continues to produce at an All-NBA level, averaging 27.4 points, 5.6 boards, and 4.1 assists. Payton Pritchard has surged to 17.6 points per game in November, including a 30-point outing last time out against the Clippers. Derrick White continues to be a jack-of-all-trades, and the addition of Anfernee Simons has kept the backcourt deep and functional. 

While the Celtics remain poor on the defensive glass (27th), they compensate with a top-10 offence, elite opponent field-goal defence (third), and a roster capable of attacking weak defensive teams. Their dominant wins over New Orleans and Washington showcase how effectively they handle teams near the bottom of the standings, which is where Brooklyn resides.

Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn continues to struggle without Cam Thomas (21.4 PPG), who has been out since November 5 with a hamstring sprain. Michael Porter Jr. has stepped into a primary role with 24.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, including 34.0 per night across his last 10, but his production has not translated to wins. Brooklyn ranks last in defensive rating, 29th in opponent FG%, 23rd in opponent free throws allowed, and 30th in defensive rebounding. 

Despite ranking third in three-point attempt rate, they remain inefficient. The Nets lack the defensive intensity and interior presence needed to compete consistently.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Nets?

Boston holds advantages across every major statistical category, including defence, offensive efficiency, shooting, and coaching. Neemias Queta’s size offers Boston a favourable interior matchup against a Nets team ranked last in defensive rebounding and 28th in points allowed at the rim. 

Given Boston’s track record against weaker opponents and Brooklyn’s inability to defend the three or score efficiently in the half-court, the matchup leans heavily one way. 

Best Bet: Celtics -10.5. With both teams playing slow, relying on threes and offering plenty of offensive-rebound reset possessions, this profiles as a low-tempo game.

CELTICS

Away

114

NETS

Home

102

Score
Predictions

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