It will be a battle between Atlantic Division opponents when the Boston Celtics (41-18) welcome the Brooklyn Nets (26-33) to TD Garden. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics ATS Prediction
In the Nets’ last game, they were defeated by the Miami Heat, 116-113, but they did cover as 7.5-point underdogs the closing line at BetMGM. The game’s total points (229) finished over the O/U total of 220. Miami’s 5.6 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Brooklyn, who had a mark of 9.4. The Heat’s mark was better than their season average of 12.7. Spencer Dinwiddie was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
The Celtics lost a tough one against the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 111-110, despite being 2-point favorites. The game’s combined points (221) were just under the O/U total of 223. Houston’s 0.495 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Boston, who had a mark of 0.455. The Rockets’ mark was below their season average of 0.542, while the Celtics’ was below their season average of 0.533. Jayson Tatum put together a good performance for Boston, leading the team in scoring with 32 points on 9-for-27 shooting.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Nets won the most recent matchup 112-107, covering as 4-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 219 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 213 points. Brooklyn’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Boston. The Nets had a rate of 0.554 while the Celtics posted a mark of 0.489. Dinwiddie put up a double-double in the victory with 32 points and 11 assists.
Brooklyn comes into the game with records of 26-33 straight up (SU) and 28-29-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Nets games, with 29 unders compared to 28 overs.
Meanwhile, Boston owns records of 41-18 SU and 36-22-1 ATS. Games featuring the Celtics also have a slight tendency to finish under the total (50.8 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Caris LeVert (23 points,5.0 assists,2.4 steals) has been great for the Nets while Tatum (35 points,8.0 rebounds,1.2 blocks) has contributed greatly to the Celtics.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Boston should have a substantial advantage. The Celtics defense ranks fifth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.508), while the Brooklyn offense is ranked 23rd in effective field goal percentage (0.516).
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics ATS Pick
NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Brooklyn is 12-16-2 ATS with 15 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
At home, Boston is 17-12 ATS with 15 overs, 13 unders and 1 push.
Brooklyn is 8-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Boston is 12-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Nets are 26-26 and the Celtics are 40-12.
Boston ranks seventh in points off turnovers per game (17.9) while Brooklyn ranks 25th (14.9).
The Celtics rank ninth in steals per game (8.2) while the Nets rank 26th (6.6).
Boston ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.6) while Brooklyn ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
The Nets average 37.7 three pointers per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Celtics rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (34.3).
Boston averages 46.0 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in the league. Brooklyn ranks 20th in rebounds allowed per game (46.2).
The Celtics average 15.5 fast break points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Nets rank 16th in fast break points allowed per game (13.2).
Brooklyn averages 13.9 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Boston ranks 15th in second chance points allowed per game (12.9).
The Celtics rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (43.3) while the Nets rank 10th (46.6).
Boston is second in the league with 22.2 assists allowed per game while Brooklyn is third with 22.4 assists allowed per game.
Over its last five contests, Brooklyn is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Boston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Nets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.6, up from 0.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 116.2 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.2 points per game (3.6 above their season average).