Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics Predictions

Brooklyn Nets (45-38 SU, 32-49-2 ATS) vs. Boston Celtics (51-31 SU, 43-36-3 ATS)
When: Sunday April 17 2022, 03:30 PM (ET)
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: ABC

Point Spread: BRO +4/BOS -4 (Opened BOS -4 at BetNow)
Total: 224 (Opened at 225)
Money Line: Brooklyn Nets 146/Boston Celtics -177
Power Rating: BOS -4

Probable Starting Lineups

Brooklyn Nets PG Kyrie Irving, SG Seth Curry, SF Kevin Durant, PF Bruce Brown, C Andre Drummond

Boston Celtics PG Marcus Smart, SG Jaylen Brown, SF Jayson Tatum, PF Daniel Theis, C Al Horford

Key Injuries

Brooklyn Nets
Ben Simmons: Back (OUT)
Joe Harris: Ankle (OUT)

Boston Celtics
Nik Stauskas: Ankle (OUT)
Robert Williams III: Knee (OUT)

The Boston Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 03:30 PM ET at the TD Garden.

Recent Form

The Brooklyn Nets come into this game with an overall record of 44-38, placing them 8th in the Eastern Conference. So far, Brooklyn is above .500 on the road, holding a record of 24-17. Over their last five games, the Nets have played well, picking up 5 wins. During this stretch, Brooklyn is averaging 119.0 points per game, 6.0 points more than their season average of 112.9. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 110.0 points per contest. The Nets have been picking up wins while holding opponents to an average of 109.0 points per game, similar to their season average of 112.1. In the Brooklyn Nets’ most recent game, Brooklyn took down Cleveland by a score of 115-108

The Boston Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 51-31, placing them 4th in the Eastern Conference. So far, Boston is above .500 at home, holding a record of 28-13. The Celtics have played well over their last five games, picking up 4 wins. During this stretch, Boston is averaging 130.0 points per game, 18.0 points more than their season average of 111.8. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 112.0 points per contest. Even though the Celtics have been adding to the win column, their opponents have had no trouble scoring the ball, averaging 111.0 points per game, up from Boston’s usual rate of 104.5. In the Boston Celtics’ most recent game, Boston took down Memphis by a score of 139-110.

Individual Player Analysis

As Brooklyn travels to take on the Boston Celtics, the Nets’ leading scorer is Kevin Durant. Through 54 games, Durant is averaging 29 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 46.0% of his games. Against the Celtics, Durant will need to be on top of his game as Boston is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their average in 45.0% of their games, placing them in the top 10. On the other side, Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics in scoring, averaging 26 points across his 75 games. Throughout the season, Tatum has outscored his season average in 47.0% of his outings. On the season, the Nets have allowed their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 49.18% of their games, giving them a rank of 13th among NBA defenses.

Matchup Analysis

Heading into this matchup, the Boston Celtics are the more efficient team on both ends of the court. This scenario has taken place in 34 of Boston’s 80 games, leading to a winning percentage of 62%. So far, the Brooklyn Nets have played 13 games as the inferior offensive and defensive unit. In these instances, they have lost 13 times, by an average margin of -14.0 points.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics have met up for 4 games. In their last meeting, Boston picked up a 126-120 win.

How the Public is Betting the Nets vs Celtics

67% are betting the Nets against the spread.
52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 225

More Picks: Get Joe’s Brooklyn vs. Chicago Game 1 Spread Pick >>>

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
• Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
• Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The 7th seeded Brooklyn Nets travel to take on the 2nd Boston Celtics in game 1 of what should be an exciting series. Even though it has been an up and down year for the Nets, they appear to be hitting their stride at the right time, as they have won 4 straight games. Although a lot of the attention will be placed on when/if Ben Simmons will make his debut for Brooklyn, the bigger storyline should be how Boston will hold up without Robert Williams III. Throughout the season, Williams III was the anchor on an elite defensive unit. Although the Nets aren’t overly reliant on paint scoring, not having to worry about Boston’s top interior defender will open things up for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Look for the Nets to cover the spread as 4 point road underdogs.