The Brooklyn Nets will try to return to the win column when they take on the Boston Celtics tonight at the TD Garden.
The new-look Nets have lost four in a row and eight of their last 10 overall. The Celtics are second behind only Milwaukee in terms of league supremacy, but can they cover this gigantic point spread tonight?
Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Nets vs. Celtics on March 3.
Nets vs Celtics best odds
Nets vs Celtics picks and predictions
Jayson Tatum has suited up for only one Boston Celtics loss since February 6. That solo court appearance resulted in a 109-94 defeat to the Knicks on Monday, where he was held to just 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
Tatum tallied seven rebounds and nine assists that night, but those aren’t his primary functions on this club. He got right back on the beam against the defensively-sound Cavaliers on Wednesday, as he opened the month of March with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Bettors should expect the points to come pouring from Tatum once more on Friday night. Opponents are shooting 52.4% from the floor against the Brooklyn Nets over their last five games, including an unbelievable 44.9% shooting clip from beyond the arc.
The Nets have struggled to stop the three all year (37.6%, 29th in the NBA), but they’ve been making up for it with a 46.3% FG% overall (fourth).
Tatum loves to jack up shots, as he’s third in the NBA in FGA per game (21.3). He’s played significantly better at home than he has on the road this year, averaging 31.8 points per game in Boston, compared to 28.8 ppg everywhere else.
My initial thought was to take the Over on Tatum’s made 3-pointers, but with the Over 2.5 listed at -150, there are better options out there. If the threes fall for Tatum as they should, he’ll simply pile up the points that way, and his points scored prop is set at a fair 28.5.
That number is up a tick from Wednesday’s line of 27.5, but down from a total of 29.5 points or higher in the nine games that preceded that game.
My best bet: Jayson Tatum Over 28.5 points (-105)
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Nets vs Celtics spread analysis
NBA odds have the Nets as huge 11-point underdogs as of Friday morning, up slightly from the opening line of 10.5. Brooklyn’s recent performances suggest that the Nets have every right to be double-digit underdogs for the first time this season.
Kyrie Irving was still with the Nets when the Celtics pummeled them 139-96 on Feb. 1. Since Irving left town, the Nets are 3-8 straight up and 6-5 against the spread. However, they’re 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS in their last seven tilts, and four of those six SU losses have been by at least 14 points. Brooklyn has dropped each of its first four games following the All-Star break, allowing an average of 130 points in those defeats.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against teams with a winning SU record. Boston jumps from a team with a plus-5.7 point differential overall to plus-9.3 at home, while the Nets drop from plus-0.3 overall to minus-3.1 as the visitor.
Nets vs Celtics Over/Under analysis
The betting total opened at a consensus line of 226.5 last night, which was promptly bet up to as high as 228.5. As of Friday morning, the line has settled at 227.5 or 228 at most major sportsbooks.
Considering the Nets’ defense has offered about as much resistance as a wet paper bag of late, it makes sense that the Over is a popular side in this one. Boston’s offense has been a well-oiled machine for most of the season, averaging 117.7 ppg.
Tatum’s partner in crime — Jaylen Brown — should have another fine evening, as he’s averaged 30 ppg in two prior meetings with Brooklyn this year. Meanwhile, Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges should lead the scoring for the Nets. Johnson is chipping in 26.3 ppg over his last three efforts, while Bridges is averaging 26.8 ppg over his last five.
There’s a slew of trends to support the Over, which is 5-1-1 in the Nets’ last seven road games and 8-2 in their last 10 games following a SU loss. The Over is also 4-0 in the Celtics’ last four home games and 6-2 in their last eight overall.
Nets vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Boston between these two clubs. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Celtics.
Nets vs Celtics game info
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Friday, March 3, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
