The Brooklyn Nets (13-5) travel to TD Garden Wednesday to take on the Boston Celtics (10-8). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nets at Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
With no Kyrie Irving, the Nets have been led by former MVPs Kevin Durant and James Harden. After a sluggish start to the season, the Nets have won eight of their last 10 games.
The Nets have done it on the defensive end. They’ve managed the eighth-best defensive rating. Brooklyn is 8-10 ATS and 8-10 O/U.
The Celtics have a similar story as they currently rank sixth in defensive rating. F Jaylen Brown is questionable and that will be a huge game-time decision in terms of betting for or against the Celtics.
Boston has won seven of their last 10 and is 11-7 ATS and 7-10-1 O/U.
Nets at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:23 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Celtics -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nets -1.5 (-105) | Celtics +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nets at Celtics key injuries
Nets
- G Bruce Brown (hamstring) out
- C Nicolas Claxton (conditioning) out
- G Joe Harris (ankle) out
- G Kyrie Irving (personal) out
Celtics
- F Jaylen Brown (conditioning) questionable
- G Josh Richardson (illness) questionable
Nets at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nets 109, Celtics 104
Money line
PASS on the money line. At just a 1.5-point spread, I’d rather look to that for value in this one. Neither team has had a game end via a one-point difference this season.
Against the spread
BET on the NETS -1.5 (-105) as the best value. The Nets have a top-ten defense and the third-best true shooting percentage.
With Brooklyn missing Harris and Brown, their line is a tad discounted. However, I wouldn’t bet against the two MVPs, especially as everything is clicking for them.
Brooklyn is also better on the road with a 7-2 record. The Celtics thrive off limiting second chance opportunities, ranking fifth in opponents second-chance scoring.
However, the Nets don’t need multiple attempts as they shoot such a high clip. Given their strength on the road and their high-level talent, I’m siding with the hotter Nets in this one.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-110) as both teams thrive defensively. Also, if the Nets do manage to have a reasonably poor shooting performance, they’ll struggle to get those extra efforts.
Neither team is great at offensive rebounding, and both actually rank outside the top ten in offensive rating.
Both are also in the top half of the league in turnover rate, so they know how to keep the ball and limit unnecessary errors. With that in mind, the Under, as it has been in the NBA throughout the season, is the better play.
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