The Brooklyn Nets (1-0) head to TD Garden to visit the Boston Celtics (1-0) in the third game of the NBA Christmas slate. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Nets-Celtics NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Nets at Celtics: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:31 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets -150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Celtics +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread/ATS: Nets -3.5 (-105) | Celtics +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Nets at Celtics: Key Injuries
Celtics
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) out
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Nets at Celtics: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Celtics 113, Nets 109
Money line (ML)
I “LEAN” CELTICS (+125) for a quarter-unit to pull off an upset, but also because I like Boston plus the points. Generally, I’ll sprinkle some coin on an underdogs’ money line if I’m betting them to cover the spread. If it’s either-or, take the spread instead of the money line.
Against the spread (ATS)
The Celtics took down last season’s 1-seed Milwaukee Bucks 122-121 Wednesday in their first game of the season. It took a go-ahead, 28-foot bank 3-point shot from SF Jayson Tatum and a missed free throw by reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with 0.5 seconds remaining for Boston to pull off the upset as a 4.5-point underdog.
Brooklyn put on a show in the NBA’s first game of the season and smoked the Golden State Warriors 125-99 as a 7.5-point home favorite Tuesday. PF Kevin Durant had a ho-hum 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and PG Kyrie Irving went off for 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting, 24 of which came in the first half.
The last time these teams met was in the NBA bubble back in August and they were headed in opposite directions. Boston rolled Brooklyn 149-115, but the Nets did win and cover in two of the four meetings last season.
Irving didn’t play in any of the four games against his former team and the matchup between him and Celtics PG Marcus Smart will be key. Smart is a defensive hound and is a perfect counter stylistically for Irving. If Smart can pester Irving effectively, hindering the Nets’ offense, then the Celtics should get an upset.
Finally, since 2017 (Tatum’s rookie campaign and SG Jaylen Brown’s second season), Boston is the best team against the spread at 157-117-8 ATS and it’s an NBA-best 16-3 ATS with an 8.8-point ATS margin as a home underdog. The Celtics hold down the home court when playing good teams. It starts with coach Brad Stevens, who’s young talent has a real chance to show out this season.
BET CELTICS +3.5 (-115) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS. There’s a lot of offensive firepower on both sides and there is a crowd-less arena so this could be a shootout.
However, it is a Christmas game, which is one of the most-hyped games of the regular season and there could be a playoff-like atmosphere. If there ever was a spot for Brooklyn’s lack of familiarity to be a factor, it would be against a Stevens coached Celtics team.
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Also See
- Irving done playing ‘hero basketball’ (Nets Hype)
- Tatum banks in game-winning 3 vs. Bucks (Celtics Wire)
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