Must-Win Game for Nets
After hitting a buzzer-beating layup to win Game 1, the Boston Celtics went ahead and dominated in the second half to win Game 2. The n Nets fell down 0-2 in this series with the games shifting to Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
A loss would make it unbelievably difficult for the Nets to win this series.
Does Brooklyn have enough to snag its first win of the series or can the Celtics start to put it out of reach? Let’s take a closer look at this NBA game betting preview for those who bet online.
Let’s check the latest NBA Picks, stats, injury reports, and NBA Odds for Celtics vs Nets. We’ve plenty of NBA Playoffs Odds for you to consider.
Celtics Have Full Trust in Their Starters
Boston doesn’t have to worry much about their bench rotation because the starters have been taking care of business. All five players scored more than 12 points in Game 2 to put it into perspective.
Even Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard off the bench dropped double digits. Boston is getting everything done at a high level and it has been a lot for Brooklyn to handle.
On top of that, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are arguably one of the best wing tandems left standing in the NBA at the moment. Being on the road isn’t always easy, but the Celtics have so much momentum that it might not matter.
Shooting Isn’t Coming Easy for Nets
Outside of Kyrie Irving’s masterful 39-point performance in Game 1, both he and Kevin Durant have taken a massive step backward in the shooting department. Irving shot 4-of-13 from the field in their last game out while Durant was 4-of-17.
Anytime your top two players on the court combine for just 8-30 from the field, it is going to be really hard to win. It hasn’t been their bench players that have been dragging them down either.
Goran Dragic scored 18 in Game 2 and Bruce Brown dropped 23. Brooklyn Nets lives and dies with their two superstars and at some point, they have to start carrying the offense again. That’s what makes it tough to take them versus the NBA odds.
Celtics vs Nets Head-to-Head
The Celtics lost the first matchup against the Nets this season but proceeded to win the next three. They ended the regular season with a 3-1 record against them, upping it to 5-1 after the first two games of the series.
Celtics vs. Nets Game Information
- Game: Boston Celtics (51-31) at Brooklyn Nets (44-38)
- Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
- Day/Time: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Celtics vs Nets Betting Lines
Celtics vs Nets Prediction
Given how talented the Nets’ roster is, it’s really difficult to imagine that they will be getting swept in this series. At some point, they will be good enough offensively to turn things around.
This seems to be the perfect time for that to happen. They are favored by three at home in the sportsbook and are expected to get Ben Simmons inserted into the lineup in Game 4.
Get a win here and then get Simmons back in Game 4, and this series could be 2-2 before we know it. Simmons could provide much needed defense on somebody like Tatum or help distribute the rock to Durant and Irving.
Either way, Brooklyn is way too experienced to bow out in four games. Expect a big bounce-back game to keep them around.
