The Brooklyn Nets will have their chance to bring down the Atlantic’s best team when they square off against the division rival Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. The game starts at 7:30 pm ET on Friday, Nov. 20 and will air on CNE and YES.
The Celtics were beaten by the Mavericks 106-102 on Wednesday. Jared Sullinger recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds, earning his fourth double-double of the year. The Nets, meanwhile, are coming off a 116-111 loss to the Hornets on Wednesday. Thaddeus Young had a game-high 27 points.
Over the last five games, Young and Jarrett Jack have been on a tear for the Nets. During that stretch, Young has averaged 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks. Not to be outdone, Jack has put up 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.8 three-pointers.
The inefficient offense of the Nets (29th in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 97.5) will look to break through against the stingy defense of the Celtics (third in the league with a defensive efficiency of 96.2). The matchup on that end of the court seems to benefit Boston.
The Celtics are a considerable eight-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 202 points. The Celtics are attempting to build on their records of 6-5 Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 4-3 both SU and ATS versus the Eastern Conference. The Celtics lead the league in steals with 11.8 per game. If its opponents turn the ball over, Boston has shown that it knows how to capitalize. They average 23.6 points off turnovers, making them the third-best team in the league for that category.
Across the court, the Nets head into the game with records of 6-6 ATS and 2-10 SU. In Eastern Conference games, Brooklyn has gone 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS. The Nets are in for a physical game against Boston. The Celtics are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 24.0 fouls per game.
The division rivals will be facing off in their first head-to-head clash of the season. When they last met the Celtics were winners, evening up the two teams’ head-to-head record over the last 10 games. They are even ATS in their last 10 meetings as well.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bos, ATS Winner – Bos, O/U – Under
Notes
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games.
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home.
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Brooklyn.
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Brooklyn.
Boston is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Brooklyn.
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Brooklyn.
Brooklyn ranks 28th in points per game with 95.7, while Boston ranks sixth in points allowed with an average of 96.8 given up.
Brooklyn ranks 26th in points per away game with 95.5 points, while Boston ranks 17th in points allowed at home with 100.3.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Brooklyn Nets are a winning 2-1. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Boston Celtics have a losing record of 1-3.
Brooklyn is winless (0-9) when giving up at least 100 points, while Boston is 5-2 when it hits triple digits.
The Celtics have a defensive rating of 96.2 (ranked third), while the Nets have an offensive rating of 97.5 (ranked 29th).
Boston has an average field goal percentage of 42.6%. Brooklyn is an underachieving 2-7 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, the Boston Celtics make 23.5 assists per game and the Brooklyn Nets make 21.6. Boston is ranked sixth, while Brooklyn is ranked 13th.
Boston makes an average of 4.7 blocks per game (ranked 21st). Brooklyn ranks higher in blocks with 4.8 (ranked 17th).
Boston is ranked third in offensive rebounding. Brooklyn ranks 19th in defensive rebounds.
Averaging 11.8 steals per game, the Boston Celtics are ranked first in the league. The Brooklyn Nets are a winless 0-2 this season when their opponents commit 11 or more steals.
