Celtics vs. Nets: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Celtics vs. Nets Odds
| Celtics Odds | -3 |
| Nets Odds | +3 |
| Over/Under | 225.5 |
| Date | Thu, Jan. 12 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
On Thursday evening, the NBA slate features six games, headlined by a matchup between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets on TNT at the Barclays Center. Ahead of tip-off Boston owns the best record in the Eastern Conference, with Brooklyn trailing in the standings by two games. In this highly-anticipated contest, oddsmakers have the Celtics priced as 3-point road favorites on the spread.
Boston Celtics
Back on track
Following a stretch in which Boston lost five of six contests, the Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 games, with notable wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans in that span.
As of this writing, both Marcus Smart and Robert Williams are listed as questionable for this evening’s action. The Celtics are 6-1 in their last seven games with Williams on the floor, with significantly better defensive metrics compared to when he is on the sidelines.
Rest disadvantage
Yesterday, Boston beat New Orleans 125-114 at the TD Garden, but it took 35 minutes from Jaylen Brown, 36 minutes from Jayson Tatum, and 38 minutes from Grant Williams. In the victory, the Celtics essentially used a six-man rotation, with Luke Kornet and Payton Pritchard contributing only 17 and 18 minutes, respectively, as the seventh and eighth men in the rotation. Playing on the second-half of a back-to-back set, fatigue could be a concern for this group.
Brooklyn Nets
Durant OUT
Last season, the Nets lost 11 consecutive games and 16 of 21 contests overall in the immediate aftermath of a Kevin Durant knee injury. Faced with a similar situation, beginning tonight, head coach Jacque Vaughn believes the team is better equipped to weather the storm this time around.
A year ago, Steve Nash was the head coach of this team, Kyrie Irving was a part-time road player, and the organization was dealing with a disgruntled James Harden. This time around, Brooklyn has a healthy Irving, motivated Ben Simmons, and a version of Nic Claxton who is leading the league in field goal percentage and averaging a career-high 11.9 points per game.
The Nets have struggled to put the ball in the basket without Durant in the lineup this season, ranking in the 11th percentile in offensive efficiency, per Cleaning the Glass. However, their defense has remained excellent – ranking in the 75th percentile in these situations.
Who will step up for Brooklyn?
Per CourtIQ, Kyrie Irving receives the largest increase in usage (+6.6%) with Durant on the sidelines this season. Missing his co-star, Irving is averaging 30.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per 36 minutes of action. In his most recent four games with Durant in street clothes, Irving recorded at least 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists in each trip to the hardwood, scoring as many as 39 points and dishing out as many as 11 assists in that span.
Celtics vs. Nets – Picks & Predictions
Entering play on Thursday, the Boston Celtics are 6-1 this season playing at a rest disadvantage to their opponent. The Brooklyn Nets are 7-2 when playing with a rest advantage over their opponent – meaning that something will have to give in this matchup.
If Boston does not have Marcus Smart and Robert Williams available, their rotations are likely to be thin once again, which could prove troublesome on the second night of a back-to-back set, with a plane ride included in their schedule yesterday evening.
Fatigue on the defensive end of the floor could be an issue against a Brooklyn team that will certainly look to push the pace with Durant on the sidelines, looking to attack in transition, rather than playing against a formidable defense in the half-court. Take the over in this matchup, assuming that both Smart and Williams are in street clothes.
PICK: Over 225.5 (-110, MGM)
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