The NBA betting action goes on following the All-Star weekend, so we are taking a closer look at the Eastern Conference showdown from Barclays Center in Brooklyn to get you the best Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets betting pick and odds for Thursday, February 24, 2022.
According to DraftKings NY Sportsbook, the Celtics are 4.5-point favorites with a total of 213.5 points. Boston meets Brooklyn for the third time this season. They split the first two encounters, as each team emerged victorious on the road.Â
The Celtics hope to get back on the winning track      Â
The Boston Celtics (34-26; 29-30-1 ATS) put an end to their nine-game winning streak on February 16. They suffered an upsetting 112-111 home defeat to the Detroit Pistons, playing as 12.5-point favorites.
Just one day after a 135-87 dismantling of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics struggled to defend against one of the worst teams in the league. They allowed the Pistons to make 53.3% of their triples (16-for-30). Also, Detroit handed out 28 assists and posted 18 offensive rebounds.
The Celtics still own the second-best defensive rating in the NBA. They surrender 105.6 points per 100 possessions. On the other side of the ball, Boston scores 111.1 points per 100 possessions (16th) on 45.3% shooting from the field (21st) and 34.4% from downtown (also 21st).
The Nets are still without their key players     Â
The slumping Brooklyn Nets (31-28; 22-35-2 ATS) are coming off a 117-103 loss to the Washington Wizards this past Thursday. After a couple of straight wins over Sacramento 109-85 and New York 111-106, the Nets returned to the losing path, recording their 12th defeat in the last 14 outings at any location.
Brooklyn allowed Washington to make 55.4% of its field goals and 50.0% of its 3-pointers. The Nets shot just 40.4% from the field, while Patty Mills led the way with 22 points (8-for-14 from the field), three assists, and four steals.
At the moment, the Nets hold the No. 8 seed in the East. They are still missing Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Ben Simmons (conditioning), and James Johnson (wrist), while Kyrie Irving is unavailable for home games due to COVID-19 medical protocols.
Trends:
Boston:
- 4-1 ATS in the last five games against the
- 7-4 ATS in the last 11 outings as favorites
Brooklyn:
- 4-9-1 ATS in the last 14 games overall
- 3-17 ATS in the last 20 games at home
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Picks & Prediction
Just a few weeks ago, the Celtics trounced the shorthanded Nets 126-91 as 9.5-point road favorites. They dominated from start to finish, holding the Nets to only 38.4% shooting from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc.
Boston will lean on its defense once more, and the Nets will need a terrific shooting night to keep it close. The Celtics have surrendered more than 97 points only twice in their last ten games overall, so the superstar-less Nets will have a tall task to upset the odds. Brooklyn has covered the spread just three times over its previous 20 outings at home.
Pick: Take Boston Celtics -4.5 at -110
The Total:
The over has hit in five of the last six encounters between Boston and Brooklyn. The Nets prefer to play at a steady pace, averaging 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, while the Celtics record 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes.
The line has been set low, which makes the totals a tricky wager. I’ve mentioned how good the Celtics’ D has been lately, but you never know with this injury-depleted Brooklyn team. The Nets have allowed 115 or more points in six of their last eight contests, and the over is 6-1 in their previous seven outings.
Pick: Go over 213.5 points at -110
