Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Jayson Tatum.
NBA Odds: Celtics vs. Nets
| Celtics Odds | +8 |
| Nets Odds | -8 |
| Over/Under | 232 |
| Time | Channel | 8:00 p.m. ET | ABC |
The Celtics take on the Nets in the Eastern Conference first round No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup. Brooklyn swept Boston 3-0 in the regular-season series.
Most intriguing about the Celtics vs. Nets regular-season series was the fact that like most teams, Boston never got a look at Brooklyn with all three of their superstars on the floor (Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden).
Boston struggled mightily in slowing down Irving specifically. Kyrie is the only member of the Nets’ Big Three to play in all three matchups with the Celtics.
In those three games against Boston, Irving is averaging a team-leading 30.7 points per game (PPG) on 50.8%/50%/100% shooting (FG/3PT/FT).
The Celtics will have to find a way to slow down Irving’s hot-shooting while also worrying about Harden’s drives to the rim and Durant’s do-everything ability.
Boston had some decent practice in terms of slowing down elite guards in their play-in win over the Washington Wizards. In the Celtics’ play-in win over the Wizards, they held Washington to 100 points and an ice-cold 14.3% from the 3-point line.
Brad Stevens’ Celtics team will need to do their best to replicate that defensive performance, or else they will be in for a long night and a short series.
Our latest PRO Report shows that sharp bettors are not expecting the Celtics to be able to execute their defensive game plan against Brooklyn, and are thusly taking the over on Saturday night.
NBA Picks: Celtics vs. Nets
Sharp Action
The total for Celtics vs. Nets opened at 225.5 before it was pushed up to 232.5 ahead of the action.
Since Wednesday, there have been five Action Labs Bet Signals triggered on the over. This is a big sign of the sharp action that has been driving up the total on Saturday night.
Top Experts
Three of The Action Network’s top NBA experts are betting on the over on Saturday night.
PRO Report Pick: Over 232.5 or 231.5 at DraftKings (-112)