The Boston Celtics have had the Brooklyn Nets’ number for a while. The Celtics have won nine games in a row against the Nets, heading into Wednesday’s matchup, including five regular season wins and a sweep in the first round of the previous playoffs.
Both teams are coming off wins over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nets beat the Lakers 121-104 on Monday but had the benefit of facing the purple and gold without their stars. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in overtime Saturday night to finish the NBA’s first rivalry week in a game filled with controversy.
Let’s check the latest NBA news, stats, injury report and NBA lines for Nets vs Celtics. We’ve got plenty of NBA picks for you to consider.
Nets Surviving
There have been reports that Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kevin Durant has started running again. He said, on his podcast, that he would want to return before the All-Star break so that he could participate in the game. If that is the case, the Nets will have less than eight games until Durant is back. In the 10 games without him, the Nets have “coasted,” going 4-6, winning each game differently.
There has been one constant: Kyrie Irving. He is averaging 34.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists over the last seven games. On top of that, he has arguably been the best player in the fourth quarter, averaging 12.4 points since Durant’s injury.
Each of the Nets’ wins has highlighted a different aspect of their team, from a buzzer-beater by Royce O’Neale facing the Golden State Warriors or Irving’s 21 points in the final quarter against the Utah Jazz. They made 22-of-40 3s against the New York Knicks, with O’Neale, Seth Curry, and Joe Harris shooting the lights out, along with another 21-point fourth quarter from Irving.
Finally, the win over the Lakers featured help from unsung heroes. Cam Thomas and Patty Mills, who have played less than 500 minutes this season, each had 21 points and combined for 28 in the second half.
Celtics Bump in the Road
The Boston Celtics still have the best record in the NBA and are the only team with a top-six offensive and defense rating. However, they have gone 1-3 in their last four games, recently losing three in a row, then barely scraping past the Lakers.
Part of the struggles has been due to injuries to key players. Marcus Smart went down against the Toronto Raptors, the last win of nine in a row before the three consecutive losses. His absence became a more significant issue when Malcolm Brogdon also had to miss time, sitting out the first two losses and struggling in his return.
Additionally, Jaylen Brown worked himself back into the lineup after being out for three games during the losing streak. He was not at his best, shooting 40% from the field on 21.3 attempts.
However, despite Smart being out for at least another week, Brown and Brogdon came up big against the Lakers. Brown led the Celtics in scoring with 37 points on 23 shots and nine rebounds. Brogdon played 39 minutes off the bench with 26 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Nets vs Celtics Game Injuries
Nets vs Celtics Head-to-Head
The Celtics have won both games against the Nets this season, on the road, each by 11 points. In the first game, Durant had 31 points but with no support from his teammates, while Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 63 points. The second game was the Nets’ first without Durant, and the Celtics had six players in double figures.
Nets vs Celtics Game Information
- Game: Nets (31-19) vs Celtics (36-15)
- Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 7:30 p.m. EST
- Nets vs Celtics Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Nets vs Celtics Betting Lines
Nets vs Celtics Picks & Prediction
With how the Celtics have played the Nets recently, it’s hard to believe anything will change this time. The Nets are again without Durant, and sure, the Celtics have struggled, but after the last game, they seem to be turning around.
The Nets also have had no answer to the Celtics’ style of play or defense. The game is also being played in Boston, where the Celtics have one of the best home records, 19-6.
The Boston Celtics are listed at -350 in our Vegas NBA lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Celtics, you have a chance to win $29. The Brooklyn Nets are +280, offering a chance to win $280 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Boston Celtics a 77.78% chance to win, with the Brooklyn Nets at 26.32%.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
Nets vs Celtics Trends
Nets vs Celtics Edge
Nets vs Celtics Results
Nets vs Celtics Game Summary
Celtics vs Nets Previous Game (Jan. 12, 2023)
About a week ago, many NBA observers had circled this game on the schedule, as it pits the red-hot Brooklyn Nets against their rival – and East-leading – Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, the Kevin Durant injury has robbed the game of much of its luster, but there are still plenty of storylines and loads of opportunities to conduct some online gambling.
Aside from Durant’s absence, the big factor here is rest. Boston is finishing up a back-to-back while Brooklyn has been lounging around NYC most of the week. The Celtics are 5-1 ATS when on no rest, but the Nets are 7-2 when given at least two days off.
