The Brooklyn Nets (26-33) stop by the TD Garden Tuesday to play the Boston Celtics (41-18) at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Nets-Celtics odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Nets at Celtics: Key injuries
Nets
- SG Caris LeVert (hand) probable
- SG Garrett Temple (shoulder) questionable
- PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
- SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
Celtics
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) probable
- C Robert Williams III (hip) probable
- SF Jayson Tatum (illness) questionable
- PG Marcus Smart (illness) questionable
Nets at Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Nets 113, Celtics 107
Moneyline (ML)
Brooklyn beating Boston isn’t out of the question — the Nets are 3-2 in their last five games against the Celtics (-278). Plus, Tatum and Smart were both held out of Boston’s practice Monday due to an illness and their game-time statuses are still undetermined. Monitor the injury report up until the lineups are confirmed because if the Celtics are without their leading scorer and defensive anchor, the value is on the Nets. The Nets’ Walker is scheduled to return from a five-game hiatus but the Celtics, as a team, didn’t really step up to replace his offense. Tatum did. During Walker’s absence, Tatum averaged 34.0 points per game on 50.9% field-goal shooting, including 50.0% behind the arc. However, the bench averaged an NBA-low 13 PPG over those five games, which was 6.6 PPG behind the second-to-last team in bench scoring (the Portland Trail Blazers). Walker will be on a minutes restriction in his first game back and if Tatum and/or Smart sit, the Celtics will turn to bad bench players. Bet the NETS (+220).
New to sports betting? Bet $50 on the Nets +220 to earn a profit of $110 if Brooklyn upsets Boston.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Since we’re sprinkling on the Nets ML, we are definitely hammering NETS +6.5 (-110). Ignore the fact that the Celtics have covered six straight games and the Nets are 2-4 ATS in their last six games. This is a situational play through and through, the only positive trend I have (or need) is that the Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings with the Celtics.
Over/Under (O/U)
The first two meetings of the season went Over, albeit, the totals were lower than tonight’s 219.5. I have a slight lean toward OVER 219.5 (-110) for the following reasons. First, the combined O/U record of the officiating crew assigned to this game is 79-56. Second, the Over is 4-0 in the Celtics last four games as a favorite. Third, the Over is 10-2 in the Nets last 12 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600. Because of the injury woes of both clubs, I do not love betting the total here.
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