The Boston Celtics will look to take a 2-0 lead in their first round series against Brooklyn when they host the Nets on Wednesday night.
The Boston Celtics are looking to take full advantage of home court and take a 2-0 lead over the Brooklyn Nets when the teams meet at TD Garden on Wednesday. A buzzer-beater layup helped Boston eke out a 115-114 win in Game 1, showing there will be very little room for error in this series.
The Celtics are 3.5-point favourites to win Game 2 on the NBA odds, with a total of 226.0.
Nets vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
Boston’s Game 1 victory was the Celtics’ fourth straight win over Brooklyn. The Nets won the season series opener between the teams back in November, before Boston took the next three regular season games and Sunday’s Game 1. That hasn’t deterred Sports Interaction bettors, however, as roughly 83 per cent of early action is taking the Nets in Game 2, while 80 per cent of bettors are banking on the Over. That could be a safe bet as five straight games and eight of the last nine between the teams have hit the Over.
The Celtics now sit as -222 favourites to win the series, while Brooklyn is a +179 underdog. The total games in the series is set at 5.5, with Over 5.5 at -192 and Under 5.5 at +155. The series is favoured to end in seven games at +165. A four-game sweep is a long shot at +801. The favoured exact series score is for Boston to win in seven games at +330.
Brooklyn Nets
The first half of Game 1 was a back-and-forth affair, with Brooklyn and Boston tied 61-61 at the break. The Nets outscored the Celtics 29-19 in the final frame, but couldn’t contain Boston in the final crucial possession. Kyrie Irving went off against his former Celtics team, dropping a game-high 39 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant didn’t look like himself, however, finishing with 23 points on just 9 of 24 shooting. Durant and Irving shot a combined 1 for 8 from the field in the first quarter.
Brooklyn was outscored 56-32 in the paint, something they can’t afford to let happen again in Game 2. Another major issue was the Nets’ 16 turnovers in the game. Hopes for reinforcements were boosted by the news that Ben Simmons has been cleared for contact. Keep in mind, it’s still not clear if Brooklyn realistically plans to insert him into the lineup at some point in the series. Simmons, who was acquired from Philadelphia at the trade deadline, has yet to make his Nets debut as he deals with a back injury. It’s been nearly a full calendar year since Simmons has played an NBA game after he requested a trade out of Philadelphia last May.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum was the hero in Game 1, hitting Boston’s first postseason buzzer-beater since 2010 to beat the Nets in Game 1. The Celtics were poised under pressure, with all five Boston players touching the ball on the final possession. Tatum led the team with 31 points and eight assists. With the game tied at the break, the Celtics shot up to an 11-point lead in the third quarter. Four players, including Tatum, Jaylen Brown (23 points), Marcus Smart (20 points) and Al Horford (20 points) hit the 20-point plateau in the game. Horford also added 15 rebounds as Boston outrebounded Brooklyn 43-29. Horford is just the 13th player in NBA history to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game at 35-years-old.
The Celtics’ defence in particular stepped up in Game 1. Boston entered with the NBA’s best defensive rating since the All-Star break. They used that to their advantage against Durant, forcing him into bad shots early and stripping him three times in the first quarter. Durant will likely adjust and fire back in Game 2, so how the Celtics limit the former MVP could be the X-factor on Wednesday.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nets vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 Apr 10:43pm | BK | -3.5 -110 | O +228.5 -110 |
| Closing 20 Apr 8:31pm | BK | -3.5 +101 | O +225 -115 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
29.87 |
| Assists |
6.38 |
| Rebounds |
10.29 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
26.25 |
| Assists |
6.25 |
| Rebounds |
6.25 |
| FG% |
79.2 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
2.25 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
29.87 |
| Assists |
6.38 |
| Rebounds |
10.29 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
26.25 |
| Assists |
6.25 |
| Rebounds |
6.25 |
| FG% |
79.2 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
2.25 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
Injuries
Blake Griffin (PF)
Seth Curry (SG)
Seth Curry (SG)
James Johnson (PF)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Seth Curry (SG)
Seth Curry (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Griffin (PF) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 22 / 04 / 22 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Griffin is tending to a sprained left ankle, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Seth Curry (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Curry is dealing with left ankle soreness, but it is projected that he will be active in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Cavaliers. |
|||||
| Seth Curry (SG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Curry is tending to a sprained left ankle, but it is projected that he will suit up against the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Fri | Illness - 04 / 04 / 22 | 3-5 | 2-6 | + - |
|
Johnson has missed the last two games due to an non-COVID-19 illness, and it is undetermined if he will take the floor against the Cavaliers on Friday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Tues | Conditioning - 02 / 04 / 22 | 3-6 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Dragic has cleared the league's health and safety protocol, and it is anticipated that he will line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Cavaliers. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Prob Tues | Illness - 01 / 04 / 22 | 3-6 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Brown was held out of the last contest due to a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Rockets. |
|||||
| Seth Curry (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22 | 3-6 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Curry has sat out the last two games with a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will face the Knicks on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Seth Curry (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22 | 4-8 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Curry is hindered by a left ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Hornets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 27 / 03 / 22 | 4-8 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Dragic is dealing with a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will battle the Hornets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 23 / 03 / 22 | 5-9 | 4-10 | + - |
|
Dragic sat out the last contest with a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will battle the Heat on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Williams III (C) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Mon | Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Fri | Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Wed | Knee - 07 / 06 / 22 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 04 / 06 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Smart is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 01 / 06 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Smart has a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22 | 5-4 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Smart has a right ankle sprain, and it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Apr 10:43pm BK -3.5 -110 O +228.5 -110 Closing 20 Apr 8:31pm BK -3.5 +101 O +225 -115 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 29.87
Assists 6.38
Rebounds 10.29
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.09
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 26.25
Assists 6.25
Rebounds 6.25
FG% 79.2
Steals 1.75
Blocks 2.25
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 29.87
Assists 6.38
Rebounds 10.29
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.09
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 26.25
Assists 6.25
Rebounds 6.25
FG% 79.2
Steals 1.75
Blocks 2.25
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
-
Injuries
Blake Griffin (PF)
Prob Sat Ankle - 22 / 04 / 22Seth Curry (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22Seth Curry (SG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22James Johnson (PF)
Ques Fri Illness - 04 / 04 / 22Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Tues Conditioning - 02 / 04 / 22Bruce Brown (PG)
Prob Tues Illness - 01 / 04 / 22Seth Curry (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22Seth Curry (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Knee - 27 / 03 / 22Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sat Knee - 23 / 03 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 06 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 01 / 06 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Blake Griffin (PF) Prob Sat Ankle - 22 / 04 / 22 0-2 0-2 + - Griffin is tending to a sprained left ankle, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Seth Curry (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Curry is dealing with left ankle soreness, but it is projected that he will be active in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Cavaliers.
Seth Curry (SG) Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Curry is tending to a sprained left ankle, but it is projected that he will suit up against the Cavaliers on Friday.
James Johnson (PF) Ques Fri Illness - 04 / 04 / 22 3-5 2-6 + - Johnson has missed the last two games due to an non-COVID-19 illness, and it is undetermined if he will take the floor against the Cavaliers on Friday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Tues Conditioning - 02 / 04 / 22 3-6 2-7 + - Dragic has cleared the league's health and safety protocol, and it is anticipated that he will line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Cavaliers.
Bruce Brown (PG) Prob Tues Illness - 01 / 04 / 22 3-6 2-7 + - Brown was held out of the last contest due to a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Rockets.
Seth Curry (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22 3-6 2-7 + - Curry has sat out the last two games with a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will face the Knicks on Wednesday.
Seth Curry (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22 4-8 3-9 + - Curry is hindered by a left ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Hornets on Sunday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Knee - 27 / 03 / 22 4-8 3-9 + - Dragic is dealing with a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will battle the Hornets on Sunday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sat Knee - 23 / 03 / 22 5-9 4-10 + - Dragic sat out the last contest with a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will battle the Heat on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Robert Williams III (C) Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 0-2 0-2 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 1-3 1-3 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 06 / 22 1-3 1-3 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 06 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Smart is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 01 / 06 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Smart has a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22 5-4 3-6 + - Smart has a right ankle sprain, and it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.