It will be a battle between Atlantic Division opponents when the Boston Celtics (29-10) welcome the Brooklyn Nets (13-22) to TD Garden. The game will air on YES Network at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 210 points with Boston opening as a 10.5-point favorite.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Betting Prediction
In the Nets’ last outing, they thoroughly outplayed the Miami Heat, 111-87. Brooklyn launched 26 three pointers, making 11 of them (42.3 percent). Miami, meanwhile, was just 3-26 (11.5 percent). Caris LeVert fueled Brooklyn with 12 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.
The Celtics won a close one over the Houston Rockets in their last game, 99-98. Boston’s 21.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Houston, who had a mark of 17.1. The Celtics’ mark was above their season average of 20.6, while the Rockets’ was below their season average of 22.1. Kyrie Irving was Boston’s leading scorer with 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Boston should have a noteworthy edge. The Celtics defense ranks second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.491), while the Brooklyn offense is ranked 20th in effective field goal percentage (0.511). This game should be a showdown of opposite tempos. The up-and-down Nets rank fourth in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Celtics rank 23rd.
Brooklyn has a respectable 20-15 record against the spread (ATS), despite being 13-22 straight up (SU). Games involving the Nets have a slight tendency to go under the projected point total (54.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Boston owns records of 29-10 SU and 24-13-2 ATS. Games involving the Celtics also have finished under the projected point total 51.3 percent of the time.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and LeVert have been playing well over the last five games for Brooklyn. Hollis-Jefferson has averaged 16.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Not to be outdone, LeVert has put up 16.8 points and 4.2 assists a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Al Horford put up 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Celtics beat the Nets 109-102, covering as 6.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 211 points, which was just 2 points above the projected point total of 209 points. The Celtics made 22 of their 27 free throws (81.5 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (20.9 vs. 18.4).
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nets, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Brooklyn is 12-8 ATS on the road with 12 unders and 8 overs.
Boston is 11-7-2 ATS at home with 11 overs and 9 unders.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Brooklyn is 8-0 and Boston is 21-1.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Nets are 11-16 and the Celtics are 21-4.
Boston ranks third in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while Brooklyn ranks 26th (5.4).
The Celtics rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.3) while the Nets rank 23rd (45.9).
Brooklyn averages 45.5 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Boston ranks 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (43.7).
The Celtics rank 17th in steals per game (7.5) while the Nets rank 28th (6.6).
Boston ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while Brooklyn ranks 13th (12.0).
The Celtics rank fifth in fast break points allowed per game (9.4) while the Nets rank 13th (10.9).
Boston ranks third in assists allowed per game (20.1) while Brooklyn ranks 10th (21.7).
The Nets rank second in three pointers attempted per game (34.3) while the Celtics rank seventh (31.1).
Brooklyn ranks 24th in points off turnovers per game (15.4) while Boston ranks 29th (14.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Brooklyn is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Boston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Nets have outscored opponents by an average of 5.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Brooklyn has been defeated by an average of 2.5 points.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 102.8 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.8 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
