After escaping the play-in tournament, the Boston Celtics punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs, facing off with the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. The storylines with Kyrie Irving facing off against his former team will be discussed plenty but, in reality, Boston has much more to worry about. The Celtics vs. Nets NBA betting picks preview will find the best NBA betting odds, give you some betting trends and show the best NBA picks and NBA predictions available.
Celtics vs. Nets Betting Preview: NBA Picks & Odds | NBA Playoffs Game 1
Celtics vs. Nets Game Info
Boston Celtics (36-36, 15-21 Away) vs. Brooklyn Nets (48-24, 28-8 Home)
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Venue: Barclays Center — Brooklyn, NY
Coverage: ABC
The Celtics’ season has been filled with ups and downs, with much of their adversity being caused by them unable to put their best players on the floor. Jaylen Brown suffered a season-ending injury, so we know he is out. However, there were more injuries in the Washington game. Marcus Smart injured his ankle, though he played through it. Still, he won’t be 100% for this series. Rim protector and injury-prone big man Robert Williams did not return to the game after reaggravating a turf toe injury. This is a clear issue, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he was out.
The Nets, on the other hand, appear healthy for the first time. It may be tough to hear for Celtics fans, but it appears this first round will be used to develop chemistry on the Nets side, since they have had few games with their “big three” fully intact. Still, pure talent alone should be enough for them to move on in this NBA Playoffs. The Nets won their final five games of the regular season, and they will attempt to continue this momentum in the postseason.
Celtics vs. Nets Betting NBA Picks + NBA Odds Shopping
Using Awesemo’s OddsShopper tool, we can easily compare the NBA odds for Celtics vs. Nets betting across the major sportsbooks. The odds expressed are from 11 a.m. EST on May 22, so make sure to check out the OddsShopper tool yourself to get the most up-to-date odds.
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NBA Odds: Moneyline
- Celtics: (+295) — FanDuel
- Nets: (-335) — SugarHouse, DraftKings
NBA Odds: Spread
- Celtics: +8 (-110) — SugarHouse, BetMGM, PointsBet, DraftKings, William Hill
- Nets: -7.5 (-114) — FanDuel
NBA Odds: Point Total
- Over: 230.5 (-110) — William Hill
- Under: 231.5 (+100) — PointsBet
Celtics vs. Nets NBA Betting Trends
- The total has hit the under in four of Boston’s last five games
- Boston is 1-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games against Brooklyn
- Brooklyn is 6-0 ATS in its last six home games against Boston
- Brooklyn is 5-0 ATS in its last five games
Celtics vs. Nets Prediction
The Nets seem to be a lock to win this series, and they should start the series off on a good note. If Boston doesn’t have Williams, its interior defense takes a big hit. As soon as Brooklyn is able to score in the paint, the game is over. It opens up the perimeter, where the Nets will feast.
Brooklyn is 5-0 ATS in its last five games and 6-0 in its last six home games against Boston. I don’t expect their record to be tarnished today.
Prediction: Nets -7.5
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