The Boston Celtics (27-16) are set to face off against the Brooklyn Nets (12-30) this Friday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. This matchup sees the teams evenly split in their previous encounters this season, with the series tied 1-1.
The Celtics are coming off a convincing 119-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, where they covered as a 10.5-point home favorite and saw the total go Under 225.5. All five Boston starters scored in double digits, led by forward Jaylen Brown, who tallied a remarkable 30 points. Despite this win, the Celtics have had a mixed performance recently, posting a 4-4 record both straight up and against the spread (ATS) over their last eight games, and they currently hold a season record of 25-17-1 ATS.
On the other hand, the Nets are looking to bounce back after suffering a heavy loss to the New York Knicks, where they were defeated 120-66, failing to cover the 12.5-point spread. Forward Michael Porter Jr. struggled, scoring only 12 points on a dismal 4-for-14 shooting night. This loss marked the third consecutive defeat for Brooklyn and the eighth in their last nine games, leading to a record of 4-5 ATS during that stretch. They stand at 19-22-1 ATS for the season.
According to the latest odds from BetMGM Sportsbook, the Celtics are favored at -375 on the moneyline, while the Nets sit at +300. The spread favors the Celtics at -8.5, indicating the expected competitiveness of the game. The Over/Under is set at 216.5.
In terms of injuries, the Celtics will be without forward Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles issue, while the Nets do not have any reported injuries.
For this matchup, predictions lean towards a Celtics victory, with a projected final score of 118-111. However, experts recommend betting on the Nets +8.5, noting their recent performance in home games. Despite the heavy loss in their last outing, the Nets have shown they can compete at home, having covered in four of their last five games and scoring at least 112 points in three of their last five contests.
The betting advice also suggests taking the Over on the total points, which appears conservative given the Nets’ defensive struggles, having allowed at least 120 points in three consecutive games, and the Celtics’ offensive capabilities with three games of scoring over 119 points in their last four outings.
As both teams prepare for their Friday night clash, fans can expect a thrilling contest as the Celtics look to assert dominance while the Nets aim to recover from their recent slump.