After getting a little help from the Philadelphia 76ers (or more specifically, their opponents) in recent days, the Brooklyn Nets can help their own cause Friday as they welcome the Boston Celtics to Barclays Center. The Nets (39-20 SU, 29-30 ATS) can seize sole possession of top spot in the Eastern Conference with a win over a Celtics team (32-27 SU, 30-29 ATS) struggling to avoid the play-in zone.
- Date/Time: April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Barclays Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Nets -7 | O/U 231.5 (Line History)
- Celtics vs Nets Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Nets were 7-point favorites when the betting lines were released, but that number has shifted all the way down to -4.5. The total has also moved but not quite as dramatically, from 231.5 down to 229.5.
Boston News & Notes
The red-hot Celtics have nine wins over their past 11 games – and yet, they remain just one game clear of the play-in round and are close to being locked out of any sort of home-court playoff advantage beyond the first round of the postseason. That said, Boston has one of the easiest remaining schedules of any East team with playoff aspirations, with just three of its final 13 games against teams with superior records.
Beating elite teams has been a struggle for the Celtics this season, which is why recent wins over Portland, Denver and Phoenix have been great statement victories. Friday’s test might just be the toughest of all from a psychological standpoint, with the Nets having won the previous two head-to-head meetings in 2020-21 by a combined 40 points despite not having their big three for either triumph.
Brooklyn News & Notes
That the perpetually short-handed Nets are on the cusp of reclaiming top spot in the conference is impressive enough, but the feat is all the more incredible when you consider that they have already used a franchise-record 32 different starting lineups in just 59 games this season. And they will continue to be without James Harden, who suffered a setback in his injury recovery.
Fellow superstar Kevin Durant, on the other hand, is considered questionable with a thigh injury. His return would provide a much-needed boost to the Brooklyn offense, but even if he does suit up, the bulk of the scoring burden will once again fall on Kyrie Irving. He’s a daily fantasy lock in this one given the expected shot volume and potential for big contributions in other categories.
Betting Pick: Celtics +4.5 (-110)
The Celtics are playing at another level right now – specifically, the one experts predicted heading into the season. They should cover comfortably here.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games.
- Brooklyn is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 home games vs Boston.
- The UNDER is 10-4 in the Celtics’ last 14 games.
