The Boston Celtics (45-31) will be at the Barclays Center to go head-to-head against the Brooklyn Nets (38-38) in an Atlantic Division matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 30, 2019.
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Odds
In the Celtics’ last matchup, they just got past the Indiana Pacers, 114-112, as 5.5-point underdogs. The Nets, on the other hand, were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers, 123-110, and failed to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Boston game finished 10 points over the projected point total of 216, while the Brooklyn game went 1.5 points over the projected point total of 231.5.
Boston’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Indiana. The Celtics had a rate of 0.587 (above their season average of 0.535), while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.533. Brooklyn, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.4 vs. 20.9). Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played well for Brooklyn with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Boston rallied around Kyrie Irving, who had 30 points and five assists.
In the season series between these two teams, the Celtics lead two games to one. In their most recent game, the two teams combined to put up 216 points, just under the projected point total of 219. Boston won 112-104 but was unable to cover as a 10-point favorite. Boston’s 0.515 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Brooklyn, who had a mark of 0.442. Al Horford recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Vegas tends to place the total low when the Celtics are playing, as 42 of their 75 games have gone over the O/U total. Boston heads into the contest with records of 45-31 straight up (SU) and 35-38-2 against the spread (ATS).
A little over half of Nets games have finished over the total. Further, Brooklyn is 38-38 SU and 41-35 ATS.
Brooklyn might have difficulty scoring as they face off against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Boston ranks sixth in defensive efficiency while the Nets rank 19th in offensive efficiency. Moreover, the Celtics rank fourth in turnover percentage (12.3 percent), while the Nets rank 25th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.3 percent).
Celtics vs. Nets Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Nets, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Nets rank third in fast break points allowed per game (11.4) while the Celtics rank 12th (13.3).
- Boston ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while Brooklyn ranks 26th (17.6).
- The Celtics rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.7) while the Nets rank 24th (51.3).
- Brooklyn ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (35.7) while Boston ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (33.4).
- Brooklyn averages 46.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Boston ranks 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
- The Celtics rank fourth in steals per game (8.6) while the Nets rank 25th (6.6).
- The Celtics rank 14th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5) while the Nets rank 27th (14.7).
- Boston averages 26.4 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Brooklyn ranks ninth in assists allowed per game (23.6).
- Boston ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while Brooklyn ranks 22nd (5.3).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Boston is 15-4 and Brooklyn is 10-1.
- The Celtics are 45-23 when they reach the century mark, while the Nets are 37-26.
- Brooklyn is 18-19 ATS at home, while Boston is 15-20-2 ATS on the road.
- Of the Celtics’ 37 road games, they have 20 overs and 17 unders.
- The Nets have 19 overs and 18 unders in 37 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Nets are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Celtics are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Brooklyn has 4 overs and 1 under, while Boston has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Nets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.6, up from 0.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 111.6 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (6.9 above their season average).
