The Boston Celtics will host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night at TD Garden. The game is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET as Boston looks to continue its strong play. The Celtics are 49-19 and sit second in the Eastern Conference, while Brooklyn holds a 23-45 record and is near the bottom of the standings.
Boston has won 13 of its last 14 meetings with Brooklyn, including a 115-113 win on Saturday. The Celtics have taken all three matchups this season. The Nets are coming off a 122-114 win over Atlanta but have dropped 10 of their last 12 games.
BK Preview – Can They Break the Slump?
The Nets have struggled on both ends this season. Brooklyn ranks 28th in field goal percentage at 44% and averages just 105.6 points per game, ranking 29th in the league. Despite this, the Nets have been effective from beyond the arc, shooting 34.7% from three-point range.
Cameron Johnson has been the Nets’ most consistent scoring threat, averaging 19.1 points per game. He scored 28 points with seven assists in the recent win over Atlanta and had 23 points in the close loss to Boston last weekend. Keon Johnson has emerged as a key contributor, scoring 22 points with eight rebounds and five assists in the victory over Atlanta.
Nicolas Claxton anchors the Nets’ interior, averaging 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His presence will be important defensively against Boston’s size, especially with Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup. Injuries have hit Brooklyn hard, with Cam Thomas (hamstring) and De’Anthony Melton (ACL) out for the season. Forward Noah Clowney (ankle) and guard Ziaire Williams (Achilles) are day-to-day and may miss this matchup.
Brooklyn has struggled on the road, losing six straight away games. They are 12-23 on the road this season and have struggled in the second half of games, often losing momentum late. The Nets have covered the spread in just five of their last 12 games.
BOS Preview – Looking to Stay Hot at Home
Boston has played well in recent weeks, winning seven of its last eight games. The Celtics are second in the NBA in defensive rating, allowing just 108.2 points per game. Boston’s strong defense has been key to their success, especially while dealing with multiple injuries.
Jayson Tatum leads the team with 27.1 points per game but is listed as questionable with a knee issue. If Tatum plays, he’ll provide a major scoring lift, having been the top scorer in two of Boston’s three wins over Brooklyn this season. Kristaps Porzingis returned from a viral illness on Saturday and scored 24 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to help Boston secure the win.
With Jaylen Brown (back) and Al Horford (toe) out, the Celtics will need supporting players like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard to step up. Hauser has shot 41.5% from three this season and added 11 points in the win over Brooklyn on Saturday. Jrue Holiday continues to be a strong presence as a playmaker and defender, averaging 11 points and 12 assists in his last outing.
Boston has been strong at home with a 26-7 record at TD Garden. The Celtics have covered the spread in 22 of their last 29 home games and have hit the game total under in 43 of their last 74 contests. Boston’s ability to limit opponent scoring has been key to their consistent success this season.
Betting Prediction
Boston is a 13.5-point favorite, with the total set at 218.5 points. The Celtics have controlled recent meetings with the Nets, and Brooklyn’s road struggles make it difficult to trust them here. The Nets have covered the spread in just three of their last eight matchups with Boston.
With Porzingis back and Boston’s defense continuing to dominate, the Celtics are likely to cover the large spread. The absence of Cam Thomas and De’Anthony Melton further limits Brooklyn’s ability to keep pace. Boston’s strong home record and Brooklyn’s struggles away from home make this a favorable spot for the Celtics to win big.
Pick: Boston -13.5
