Kevin Durant still isn’t back for Brooklyn, but as long as James Harden and Kyrie Irving are in the lineup, it doesn’t seem to matter. The Nets (24-13 SU, 20-17 ATS) have won and covered 10 straight when their superstar guards have both taken the floor, a streak they look to extend against Boston (19-17, 17-19).
- Date/Time: March 11, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Barclays Center
- TV Coverage: TNT
- Sportsbook Odds: Nets -3.5 | O/U 233 (Line History)
- Celtics vs Nets Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
This line opened just a half-point higher than what the Nets were favored by when they visited Boston on Christmas Day, a game Brooklyn won 123-95. Early bettors have liked the visiting Celtics despite the short spread, betting Boston down to a 3-point dog, while the total was bet up to 234.5.
Boston News & Notes
Marcus Smart is expected to return to action Thursday for the first time since straining his calf on January 30 against the Lakers. Smart is averaging career highs in points, assists and minutes, but the guard’s biggest impact should come on the defensive end. Boston allowed at least 115 points in seven of the 18 games while Smart was out of the lineup, going OVER the total in 11 of those contests.
It also provides Boston with the opportunity to have Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker on the floor together. That’s a luxury the Celtics haven’t enjoyed often this year — Tatum had to overcome COVID-19 and Walker hasn’t played the second night of back-to-backs — which could be a factor in Boston’s underwhelming 19-17 SU record at the all-star break.
The Celtics have turned things around recently, entering play on a four-game winning streak that came on the heels of a 3-8 SU and ATS skid. However, all of those victories came at TD Garden, where Boston is 12-5 SU on the campaign. Away from home, the Celtics have failed to cover in six straight and are just 6-13 ATS overall on the season.
Brooklyn News & Notes
The latest big-name addition to Brooklyn’s star-laden roster won’t make his debut Thursday as Blake Griffin will sit out the contest for left knee injury maintenance. Griffin joined the Nets during the all-star break after being bought out from his contract by Detroit, where he averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20 games this season.
Brooklyn could use Griffin’s services in the front court as it remains without Durant (hamstring), especially if Jeff Green (shoulder) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (knee) are also unable to return against the Celtics. Expect Bruce Brown to see more playing time once again as he looks to score in double digits for the seventh consecutive outing.
Of course, the Nets still have more than enough offensive firepower in the duo of Harden and Irving, which has carried them to a 10-1 SU and ATS record in their last 11 games. Harden is gunning for his third straight triple-double, has scored at least 29 points in five of his last six games and is 22-for-38 from the field in his last two outings. Meanwhile, Irving has scored 20 or more points in nine of his last 10 contests, adding at least seven assists in six of those games.
Betting Pick: Nets -3
A four-game winning streak and Smart’s return to the lineup may make it seem like the Celtics have turned a corner, but they need to get the job done on the road before I’m a believer.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Boston is 0-6 ATS in its last 6 road games.
- Brooklyn is 10-1 SU and ATS in its last 11 games.
- Boston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games vs Brooklyn.
