Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics.
Nets vs. Celtics Series Odds
| Nets | Celtics | |
|---|---|---|
| Series Winner | -1000 | +600 |
| Win in 4 | +275 | +8000 |
| Win in 5 | +185 | +4000 |
| Win in 6 | +350 | +1400 |
| Win in 7 | +450 | +1200 |
| Odds as of Friday and via PointsBet. | ||
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No. 2 Brooklyn Nets
The Nets began the season with lofty expectations with a star the studded duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
During the season Brooklyn added a third star, James Harden, and a number of role players to fill out its roster, but the Harden/Irving/Durant trio has played just eight total games together this season.
First-year head coach Steve Nash has managed to get the most out of his team regardless of which players suit up and that has resulted in a 119.4 Offensive Rating, best in the NBA in non garbage time minutes per Cleaning the Glass.
Having three dominant scorers will benefit the Nets in the postseason when they need a bucket. Brooklyn has the second-most isolation possessions per game (11.0) behind only the Portland Trail Blazers and rank first in Effective Field Goal Percentage (52.1%) and Points Per Possession on those plays per NBA Advanced Stats.
The defense, which has fallen off a cliff since the Harden trade, ranks 22nd in the NBA, allowing 113.8 points per 100 possessions in non garbage time minutes.
The Nets enter the NBA Playoffs as the favorites in the East and overall, despite the questions surrounding their health. And based on how unstoppable the team looks when things are rolling, the Nets seem poised for a deep run if they can keep their Big 3 healthy.
No. 7 Boston Celtics
But the Celtics, like many teams were derailed by a combination of injuries and COVID-19 from the beginning of the season. Kemba Walker missed the first 11 games of the season while he recovered from a knee injury and missed seven of their last 11 games to close out the season.
Jayson Tatum has been vocal about battle with COVID and its lingering impact on his conditioning this season. And if that wasn’t enough, Jaylen Brown is out for the rest of the season with a wrist injury.
Even with their health issues, the Celtics were tied for fourth in the East with 15 games left in the season and had a good shot to clinch a playoff spot. Instead, the Celtics went 5-10 over that span and fell to No. 7 in the East. Over that span, their Offensive Rating ranked 20th in the NBA (110.9).
Despite all their struggles and the absence of Brown, the Celtics have experience and elite players on their side, so they can’t be counted out. But a tough road awaits them in the postseason.
Celtics vs. Nets Game 1 Odds
| Celtics Odds | +8 |
| Nets Odds | -8 |
| Moneyline | +275 / -350 |
| Over/Under | 227.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
| Odds as of Friday and via BetMGM. | |
Nets vs. Celtics Round 1 Schedule
Game 2: Tuesday, May 25 | 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 3: Friday, May 28 | 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Game 4: Sunday, May 30 | 7 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 5: TBA
Game 6: TBA
Game 7: TBA