Nets vs. Celtics Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
-
Charlie Grant
Kyrie Irving was the story the last time the Nets visited Boston, but can the locals call out their former franchise player with the point guard out for the year? The Celtics have injury woes themselves and a few star players could be game-time decisions to play.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Nets are winless in their last four games with some really ugly results mixed in the stretch. Brooklyn lost by 23 points on the road to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday despite entering the contest as a 2-point favourite.
The club still holds the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but the Washington Wizards are just four games back. The Nets are struggling when they take their act to the road. They’re just 10-20 straight up and 12-18 against the spread in 30 away games this season.
The Celtics have overtaken the Oklahoma City Thunder as the best ATS team in the NBA. Boston is 6-0 against the number in its last six despite losing two of those games outright. The club is coming off a 111-110 loss at home to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The C’s are neck and neck with the Toronto Raptors for second place in the Conference. Sports Interaction lists the Raptors and Celtics as co-favourites – behind the Milwaukee Bucks of course – at +600 to win the East.
The Nets and Celtics haven’t played since November when the two sides split a home-and-home series. Brooklyn has enjoyed success against its divisional foe. The Nets are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games against the C’s.
Brooklyn Nets
Even if they do hold on for a playoff spot this spring, Brooklyn supporters know the Nets’ focus is on next season. Kevin Durant should be fully recovered from his torn Achilles tendon and Kyrie Irving should be healthy.
The end of this season will likely act as an audition for many Brooklyn players. Is Caris LeVert good enough to be a core member of this team moving forward? Can Spencer Dinwiddie excel as a supporting guard rather than a lead one? These questions need answering before the Nets play out their offseason.
Boston Celtics
There is good news and bad news when it comes to the Celtics’ injury problems. Kemba Walker is expected to make his return from a five-game absence because of a sore knee. OK, now the bad news. All-Star wing Jayson Tatum and veteran guard Marcus Smart are both sick and questionable to play on Tuesday.