The NBA continues on Thursday night with this elite Eastern Conference matchup. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Celtics-Nets prediction and pick.
The Boston Celtics ended the first half of the season by winning nine of their final 10 games. They would have won 10 straight if they didn't collapse against the Detroit Pistons. Nonetheless, the Celtics reestablished themselves as contenders in the East as they are just 4.5 games back of the first-place Miami Heat. Boston is (34-26) on the season but only (14-15) on the road. The Brooklyn Nets will be without their stars once again tonight but should be getting Kyrie Irving back full-time again soon. The Nets are (31-28) on the season but only (13-15) at home. This matchup favors the Celtics tonight.
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Here are the Celtics-Nets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Celtics-Nets Odds
Boston Celtics: -9 (-108)
Brooklyn Nets: +9 (-112)
Over: 214.5 (-110)
Under: 214.5 (-110)
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Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
The Celtics come into this game as the favorites on the road and that is the right call. A nine-point spread is a tough one to pull off but the Celtics can do it. Their defense is among the best in the NBA in points allowed and it's by far the best recently. The Celtics have allowed just 95.9 points per game over their last 10 games and are the only team in the league to allow less than 98 in that span. Boston doesn't have to worry about facing the Nets' stars tonight but will have to face Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and Patty Mills. Those three veterans can help keep this game close if the Celtics aren't careful.
Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III are set to return tonight after missing the game against the Pistons. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both average north of 23 points per game and will be the key factors once again tonight. If those two are on their game, the Nets shouldn't have a chance. Boston blew out the Nets a few weeks ago before the massive trade that happened. They held Brooklyn to just 91 points but I don't think the Celtics will do that again tonight. The Nets roster improved a little bit and I think they will put up more of a fight.
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Nets are just 2-8 in their last 10 games but do still have a competitive roster. Throwing in Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Cam Thomas into the mix, this team can pull off an upset if they play well. I'd expect the Nets to struggle at some points in the game because the Celtics' defense is unreal, but for the most part, they shouldn't get blown out again. The defense will have to step up tonight to contain Brown and Tatum because if they don't, then well maybe they will get run out of the arena. The Nets contain two of the hottest three-point shooters in the NBA in Curry and Mills so they will need them to lead the team tonight. If Thomas can string together some threes and possibly Kessler Edwards, then maybe the Nets can get something going.
Final Celtics-Nets Prediction & Pick
This is a tricky spread to bet on tonight. I think the Nets are an improved team over the last three weeks but the Celtics are far better right now. The Celtics should win this game by at least nine points but I would also consider taking the over here as well. I expect the Nets to score more than just 91 points tonight.
Final Celtics-Nets Prediction & Pick: Celtics -9 (-108) & over: 214.5 (-110)
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