The Boston Celtics are set to host the struggling Brooklyn Nets on Friday night at TD Garden. The Celtics enter the matchup with momentum, having won three consecutive games before facing a loss in Denver. Meanwhile, the Nets have hit a rough patch, suffering six consecutive defeats since February 11.
This season, the Nets have shown resilience against the Celtics, which adds intrigue to the upcoming game. They initially struggled with a 113-99 loss in November but bounced back with an unexpected win just days later, and most recently, they pushed the Celtics to an overtime game last month.
As the teams prepare to clash, oddsmakers have established the Celtics as significant favorites. The betting odds reflect their robust performance throughout the season, with the Celtics presenting a record of 38-20 compared to the Nets’ 15-43.
In terms of odds for the matchup, the Nets are given a spread of +17.5, with a moneyline of +850, while the Celtics are at -17.5 with a moneyline of -1450. The total points line is set at 208.5, indicating expectations for a lower-scoring game.
Injury reports indicate a few absences for both teams. The Nets will be without Trey Alexander, Hunter Dickinson, Yves Missi, and Trey Murphy III. The Celtics are dealing with injuries to Max Shulga, Jayson Tatum, and Amari Williams, which could impact their gameplay.
Despite the Celtics’ strong defensive capabilities, which allow just 107.5 points and 24.9 assists per game, Nets player Michael Porter Jr. emerges as a key offensive threat. He averages 24.6 points and 3.2 assists per game, with an impressive track record of surpassing 23.5 points and assists combined in recent outings against the Celtics.
As for predictions, the Celtics’ strong defensive strategy has resulted in a trend of three consecutive games scoring under the total, which aligns with their overall season performance of 37-21 to the UNDER. With both teams tending towards lower scores, the betting pick leans toward the UNDER 208.5.
Fans can catch the game on YES or NBCSB, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on February 27 at TD Garden. The matchup carries the potential for an intriguing contest, given both teams’ recent performances and playoff aspirations.