The 2-seed Brooklyn Nets and 7-seed Boston Celtics play Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Friday at TD Garden in Boston; the Nets hold a 2-0 series lead. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Nets vs. Celtics odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
The Nets picked up rather easy victories in the first two games of this series at Barclays Center where they covered spreads of 8.5 and 9 points. Both of Brooklyn’s victories have been by at least 11 points.
Boston has struggled putting points on the board this series, averaging just 100.5 PPG in the two games in Brooklyn. The Celts also turned the ball over 12 times in Game 1 and 15 times in Game 2 while shooting 37% or worse from long distance in both games – a bad combination.
Nets at Celtics: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:49 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets -335 (bet $335 to win $100) | Celtics +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
- Against the spread/ATS: Nets -7.5 (-110) | Celtics +7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Nets at Celtics: Key injuries
Nets
- SF Jeff Green (foot) out
Celtics
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) questionable
Special NBA Playoff Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game.
Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV.
Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Nets at Celtics: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Nets 119, Celtics 107
Money line (ML)
Nets (-335) will cost you over three times your potential return, and that’s just not a good long-term betting strategy, even if the Celtics (+260) do not match well and are likely headed for a third straight loss in the series.
AVOID.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
The NETS -7.5 (-110) are a much better play laying the four buckets in Game 3. The Celtics +7.5 (-110) haven’t been able to keep it within single digits yet in the series and there is no reason to believe a move to New England will suddenly awaken their offense.
Brooklyn is not only 5-0 SU in the three regular-season meetings and two playoff games against Boston this season, they’re also 5-0 ATS, too.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 226.5 (-110) is the lean here, ever so slightly. The Under had connected in the first four meetings this season before a Game 2 Over result. Brooklyn isn’t likely to drop a 130 on Boston on the road like they did against them in Game 2 at home.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]