The Boston Celtics (32-10) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they square off with the Brooklyn Nets (15-23) at Barclays Center. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018, and will air on YES Network.
Boston opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208.5 points.
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Prediction
In the Celtics’ last contest, they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 91-84. The Celtics had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 20.6) and had a turnover percentage of 9.1 (better than their season average of 12.6). Kyrie Irving played a pivotal role for Boston with 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
The Nets won a close one over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last outing, 98-97. Brooklyn was lights out from beyond the arc (14-30; 46.7 percent). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 7.9 (better than their season average of 11.7). Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn in scoring with 26 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
It will be a matchup of contrasting paces as the fast-breaking Nets (ranked fourth in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the slower-paced Celtics (23rd in possessions per game).
Boston heads into the game with records of 32-10 straight up (SU) and 25-14-2 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Celtics’ games have finished under the total.
Brooklyn is 23-15 ATS, despite being 15-23 SU. Vegas is known to set the total high when the Nets are involved, as 21 of their 41 games have finished under the O/U total.
Terry Rozier has averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds over the last five games for Boston.
The Celtics have won both matchups against the Nets this season, escaping with a close three-point victory in their last matchup. Boston was unable to cover as a 10-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 213 points, which was just 3.5 points above the projected point total of 209.5 points. Boston’s 0.582 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Brooklyn, who had a rate of 0.468. Irving was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points.
Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 13-6 ATS with 11 unders and 8 overs.
Brooklyn is 10-7 ATS at home with 9 unders and 8 overs.
When allowing below 100 points, Brooklyn is 10-0 and Boston is 23-1.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Celtics are 23-4 and the Nets are 11-17.
Boston ranks fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while Brooklyn ranks 27th (5.4).
The Nets average 45.5 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Celtics rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (43.8).
Brooklyn ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (44.0) while Boston ranks 29th (39.6).
The Celtics rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while the Nets rank 20th (17.5).
Boston ranks 16th in steals per game (7.5) while Brooklyn ranks last (6.4).
The Celtics rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while the Nets rank 18th (12.3).
Boston ranks fourth in fast break points allowed per game (9.3) while Brooklyn ranks 12th (10.6).
The Nets rank second in three pointers attempted per game (34.0) while the Celtics rank seventh (31.3).
Boston ranks second in assists allowed per game (20.0) while Brooklyn ranks seventh (21.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Brooklyn is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 5.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nets have scored an average of 105.0 points per game (1.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.0 points per game (6.2 below their season average).
