The Boston Celtics will be looking to extend their winning streak to six straight games when they take on the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Brooklyn defeated Boston the last time these teams met, winning 123-104 on November 24. However, Brooklyn has lost eight straight games.
Here you can find the best picks, news, and stats for this interconference battle at the Barclays Center. Boston is the favorite at – -167. This according to BetMGM NY Sportsbook, which puts the odds for Brooklyn at +145 as the underdog.
The Celtics do not list anyone out for this game. The Nets will be without Joel Harris, Kyrie Irving, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Nic Claxton and James Harden are listed as day-to-day.
Celtics Extend Winning Streak to Five
The Boston Celtics (30-25) defeated Orlando on Sunday, 116-83. Boston has now won five straight games, and find themselves virtually tied with Brooklyn for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics are 12-15 on the road but have won their last three games away from Boston. The Celtics are 5-5 ATS in their last 10.
The Celtics held Orlando to 35.8% shooting, including just 5-26 from three-point range in the 33-point victory. Boston has held their last four opponents to under 100 points as they are fourth overall in points allowed per contest at 104.0. The Boston defense has been spectacular, second in opponent field-goal percentage (43.3%) and eighth in opponent three-point percentage (34.1%).
Jaylen Brown led the way with 26 points. Brown is second on the team at 23.9 points per contest. Jayson Tatum is the leading scorer on the Celtics at 25.6 points per game and is second in rebounding at 8.5 per contest.
Nets Woes Continue in Loss to Nuggets
The Brooklyn Nets (29-24) lost their eighth straight game when they were defeated by Denver on Sunday, 124-104. The Nets are now a game under .500 at home (12-13), but are returning home for the first time since January 26 when they lost to Denver, 124-118. The Nets are 0-4 ATS in their last four.
The Nuggets shot 52.1% from the field while Brooklyn hit 41.4% of their shots in the 20-point loss to Denver. Brooklyn is ninth in opponent shooting percentage at 44.6%, but 20th in points allowed per game (110.8). They have allowed over 120 points in five of the eight losses during the streak and have allowed at least 110 points in seven of the eight games.
Irving led Brooklyn with 27 points and 11 assists, but he will be out for this game. Kevin Durant leads Brooklyn at 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
Trends:
Boston:
- 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as the favorite.
Brooklyn:
- 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games as the underdog.
- 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 games at home.
The Winner Prediction
This is a classic contest between a team that is red-hot against one that is ice cold. Boston has won five straight games while the Nets have lost eight straight. Brooklyn has won the last three meetings between these teams, but that seems like a century ago in comparison to how the Nets are playing right now.
Boston is playing exceptional defense, holding six of their last eight opponents under 100 points. With both Irving and Harden out, that is a lot of offense to try to replace against the team that is already shutting opponents down.
Pick: Take Boston Celtics at -3.5.
The Total:
Boston has held six of their last eight opponents under 100 points. During the losing streak, Brooklyn has been held under 110 points in five of the eight games including each of the last three games. The Nets are struggling offensively despite being 10th in the league in points per game (111.3).
Boston is not a great offense either, 19th in scoring (108.1). They are also 22nd in both field-goal percentage (45.0%) and three-point shooting (34.0%). The difference is that the Celtics are the No. 1 free-throw shooting team facing the No. 2 free-throw shooting team. This will become a battle of free throws which will inevitably keep scoring down.
Pick: Go under 216.5 at -110
