NBA Picks: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics 3/6/22

Brooklyn Nets (32-32 SU, 24-39-1 ATS) vs. Boston Celtics (38-27 SU, 32-31-2 ATS)
When: Sunday March 06 2022, 01:00 PM (ET)
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: ABC

Point Spread: BRO +3.5/BOS -3.5(Opened BOS -3.5 at Bovada)
Total: 227.5 (Opened at 227.5)
Money Line: Brooklyn Nets +134/Boston Celtics 160
Power Rating: BOS -5

Probable Starting Lineups

Brooklyn Nets PG Kyrie Irving IN, SG Seth Curry P, SF Bruce Brown, PF Kevin Durant, C Andre Drummond
Boston Celtics PG Marcus Smart, SG Jaylen Brown Q, SF Jayson Tatum, PF Al Horford, C Robert Williams

Key Injuries

Nets No Reported Injuries

Celtics Jaylen Brown: ankle (QUESTIONABLE)

The Boston Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets in a Non-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 01:00 PM ET at the TD Garden.

Recent Form

The Brooklyn Nets come into this game with an overall record of 32-32, placing them 8th in the Eastern Conference. So far, Brooklyn is above .500 on the road, holding a record of 19-14. Over the Nets’ last five games, they have picked up just 1 win. In this stretch, Brooklyn’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 109.0 points per game. Combined, the Nets’ last five opponents are giving up 107.0 points per contest. A key reason for Brooklyn’s recent struggles is a defensive unit giving up 121.0 points over their previous five contests. This figure is up from their season average of 111.6. In the Brooklyn Nets’ most recent game, the team fell to Miami by a score of 113-107.

The Boston Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 38-27, placing them 5th in the Eastern Conference. So far, Boston is above .500 at home, holding a record of 22-11. The Celtics have played well over their last five games, picking up 4 wins. During this stretch, Boston is averaging 115.0 points per game, 6.0 points more than their season average of 109.3. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 111.0 points per contest. Even though the Celtics have been adding to the win column, their opponents have had no trouble scoring the ball, averaging 109.0 points per game, up from Boston’s usual rate of 103.8. In the Boston Celtics’ most recent game, Boston took down Memphis by a score of 120-107.

Individual Player Analysis

As Brooklyn travels to take on the Boston Celtics, the Nets’ leading scorer is Kevin Durant. Through 37 games, Durant is averaging 29 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 43.0% of his games. As Durant gets set to take on the Celtics, he could be in line for a big game as Boston is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 55.32% of their games. This figure places them 27th among NBA defenses. On the other side, Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics in scoring, averaging 26 points across his 61 games. Throughout the season, Tatum has outscored his season average in 44.0% of his outings. On the season, the Nets have allowed their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 50.0% of their games, giving them a rank of 17th 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 17 of Boston’s 65 games, leading to a winning percentage of 65%. So far, the Brooklyn Nets have played 14 games as the inferior offensive and defensive unit. In these instances, they have lost 14 times, by an average margin of -12.0 points.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics have met up for 3 games. In their last meeting, Boston picked up a 129-106 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 227

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Nets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Nets are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog.
• Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

Heading into the game, the Celtics are looking for their third straight win against the spread. On the other side, Brooklyn is hoping to turn things around with the return of Kevin Durant. However, they may not have Kyrie Irving for today’s game, as he is questionable. In this Eastern Conference battle, I recommend taking the Celtics to pick up the win and cover the spread. Throughout the season, Boston has been one of the best defensive teams holding their opponents to an effective field goal percentage of just 49.7%, best in the NBA.