Celtics vs. Nets NBA Prediction
Jayson Tatum is coming off an epic performance in the play-in round but the Celtics have struggled to cover versus the Nets in previous meetings between the two teams. Will Tatum lead Boston to a cover as an 8-point road dog on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET in the Conference Quarterfinals.
Game Snapshot
505 Boston Celtics (+8) at 506 Brooklyn Nets (-8); o/u 228.5
8:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 22, 2021
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Boston Celtics DFS Notes
Jayson Tatum torched the Wizards to the tune of 50 points (17-of-17 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in Tuesday night’s 118-100 win. Tatum scored 23 of his 50 points in the third quarter to will the shorthanded Celtics to the seventh seed in the Eastern conference. Tatum scored in every way possible on Tuesday as he had the mid rage game going, knocked down his triples at a 40% clip, and of course got to the foul line with ease making all of his attempts. Tatum and the Celtics earned a date with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in game one of the quarterfinal round of the Eastern conference playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets DFS Notes
James Harden (right hamstring) will not be on a minute-limit for the playoffs, according to coach Steve Nash. Harden was on a 25-minute limit in the Nets’ final two regular-season games, but he came through it unscathed and Brooklyn is ready to turn him loose. For his part, Harden said he’s focused solely on winning a championship and doesn’t care about his individual statistics. “My impact doesn’t have to show up on the stat sheet for us to win,” he said. “I think my job as a leader is to make sure everybody’s playing well. If I’m doing that, I can focus on myself last. That’s not a problem at all.” Harden’s usage rate drops to a modest 18.5% in his 202 minutes alongside both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant this season, which is just about half of his 36.8% usage in 517 minutes without them.
Celtics vs. Nets Playoffs Prediction
The Celtics are 0-6 against the spread in their last six games in Brooklyn and have dropped five of their last six meetings with the Nets overall. Boston is also 4-9 against the spread in its last 13 games overall and 1-5 at the betting window in its last six games coming off a win. The Nets, meanwhile, are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games overall, are 6-1 against the number in their last seven home games and are 5-0 at the betting window in their last five games when listed as a favorite.
NBA PLAYOFFS PREDICTION: BROOKLYN NETS -8