Celtics vs Nets Prediction

The Boston Celtics will be traveling to the Barclays Center to take on the hot Brooklyn Nets Thursday. This is going to be a fight between two Atlantic Division teams. The Celtics are 4.5 games behind the Nets.

A Look at the Celtics

Boston went into the All-Star break with a four-win streak after defeating the Raptors at home. Against the Raptors Boston shot a strong 60.8% from the field and going 13 of 29 from the three-point range. Jayson Tatum led his team with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists in their 132-125 win.

After struggling on defense due to the absence of Marcus Smart players like Tatum, Brown, and Walker have stepped up to help earn their past 4 victories. Daniel Theis and Grant Williams have done a good job coming off the bench but have shown problems on defense which could be an issue for the Celtics when they take on the nets.

The Celtics are ranked 19th in the NBA in scoring offense with an average of 111.7 points per game. They rank 18th in rebounds grabbing 43.8 rebounds per matchup and 9th in scoring defense by giving up 110.8 points per game.

The Celtics because contributors are Jayson Tatum who is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, Jaylen Brown (24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists), and Kemba Walker (18.5 points, 4.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds).

Boston Projected Lineup:

Kemba Walker (G), Jaylen Brown (G), Jayson Tatum (F), Tristan Thompson, Daniel Theis (C).

A Look inside the Nets

The Brooklyn Nets enter Thursday’s game with one of the scariest lineups anyone has seen in a while. The Nets acquired Blake Griffin over the All-Star break. This season Blake Griffin is averaging 12.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Griffin has five ALL-NBA selections, six All-Star selections, and he has won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Durant is yet to be confirmed to return to play but James Harden and Kyrie Irving are looking to continue their hot streak. James Harden has been the key play for the Nets since Kevin Durant left. He dropped two straight triple-doubles before the All-Star break.

On the season Harden is averaging 25.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 11.4 assists, and 1.3 steals which are some impressive stats. Brooklyn has won 10 of their last 11 games and is currently ranked 2nd in the Atlantic Division and half a game behind the 76ers.

Brooklyn is sitting in the top spot in the league scoring offense by putting up 121.1 points per game and are 2nd in assists by dishing 27.2 per game. They are sitting in 14th rebounding and have been subpar on the defensive end ranking 27th in the league by allowing 116.1 points a game.

Nets Projected Line up

Kyrie Irving (G), James Harden (G), Joe Harris (F), Kevin Durant (F), DeAndre Jordan (C).