The Brooklyn Nets (39-20) host the red-hot Boston Celtics (32-27) Friday at Barclays Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Celtics-Nets odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Boston bounced back from a 106-92 loss to the Chicago Bulls as 4.5-point home favorites Tuesday to trounce the Phoenix Suns 99-86 Thursday and cover as 1.5-point home dogs.
Before their loss to the Bulls, the Celtics won six in a row (4-1-1 against the spread) and now have the same record as the 5-seed Atlanta Hawks.
Brooklyn has alternated between winning and losing over the last eight games (5-3 ATS) with the latest being a 114-103 loss to the Toronto Raptors Wednesday.
The Nets have won and covered their first two meetings this season with the Celtics and Kyrie Irving lit up Boston in both games.
Kyrie averaged 38.5 points per game on 80.3% true shooting (.636/.667/1.000) with 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in both Celtics-Nets games this season.
Celtics at Nets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Nets -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Celtics +4.5 (-110) | Nets -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Celtics at Nets: Key injuries
Celtics
- SF Jaylen Brown (illness) questionable
- C Robert Williams (knee) questionable
- SG Evan Fournier (health and safety protocols) out
Nets
- PF Kevin Durant (thigh) questionable
- SG James Harden (hamstring) out
- C Nicolas Claxton (health and safety protocols) out
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Celtics at Nets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Celtics 119, Nets 113
Money line (ML)
Slight “LEAN” to the CELTICS (+175) for a quarter unit because this is a “double-revenge” spot for them, and Boston’s chances of winning are higher than the 36.4% implied probability of its money line price.
The Nets had their way with the Celtics in both meetings earlier this season, but that was a different Boston team.
The Celtics are one of the hotter teams in the Association and are clearly motivated because they are jostling for playoff positioning.
Most importantly, Brooklyn is pretty banged up, and even if KD can play tonight, he’ll probably be on some sort of minutes restriction.
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Against the spread (ATS)
Definitely BET CELTICS +4.5 (-110) heavier than or instead of Boston’s money line.
Brooklyn gets up for big games, but does it consider this a big game?
It’s for sure a “big game” for the Celtics, who are just 1 game ahead of the Miami Heat for the coveted 6-seed since seeds 7-10 from each conference participate in postseason play-in.
Also, Brooklyn has been a bad bet this season as a favorite (17-24 ATS) and as a home favorite (9-14 ATS).
Over/Under (O/U)
There are a few trendy reasons why I “LEAN” to the OVER 229.5 (-110) for a quarter unit.
The Celtics are 11-4 O/U as a road dog and 7-4 O/U on the second of a back-to-back while the Nets are 13-5 O/U as a home favorite.
Furthermore, the Nets’ rotation is stacked with good offensive players that aren’t really bringing it on the defensive end.
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