Celtics vs. Nets Game 5 Prediction
The Brooklyn Nets are 12.5-point home favorites for Game 5 of their conference quarterfinals series with the Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday night. With the total also sitting at 231.5, what’s the best bet when it comes to this matchup?
Game Snapshot
521 Boston Celtics (+12.5) at 522 Brooklyn Nets (-12.5); o/u 231.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Venue: Barclays Center
TV: TNT
Boston Celtics DFS Notes
Jayson Tatum dropped 40 points in a brutal Game 4 loss to the Nets on Sunday evening, also adding seven rebounds, five dimes, two steals, one block, two turnovers and three triples in 40 minutes. He made all 17 of his free throws and was 10-of-22 from the floor as a whole, and his performance is even more impressive considering he didn’t score a single point in the second quarter. He got very little help as Marcus Smart (16/6/9) and Evan Fournier (16 points) were the only other semi-noteworthy statistical performances, and Tatum has to be absolutely gassed after giving it his all in an attempt to tie up the series against this ridiculous Nets team. Tatum and the Celtics will look to stay alive in Tuesday’s Game 5.
Brooklyn Nets DFS Notes
Kevin Durant went off for a game-high 42 points (14-of-20 FG), rounding out his big night with four rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks in 40 minutes of a dominant 141-126 win. That makes it back-to-back 35-point games for KD, making him the first player in Nets playoff history to accomplish such a feat. The Nets were rolling tonight in general, which isn’t a surprise anymore, and they’ll have a chance to advance to play the Bucks as soon as Tuesday. Brooklyn also dropped a new playoff franchise-high 141 points on 57.8% from the field, 59.3% from three-point land, and 96.7% from the line. Kyrie Irving (39/11/2 with two steals and six triples) and James Harden (23/5/18/2/3) both played out of their minds as well, and if these three play this well or even come close to doing so consistently, they are going to be incredibly difficult to beat. There’s a reason Vegas has them as favorites to win the NBA title this season.
Celtics vs. Nets Playoffs Prediction
The Celtics are 0-8 against the spread in their last eight games in Brooklyn and are 1-6 against the number in their last seven games versus the Nets overall. On the other side, the Nets are 5-0 against the spread in their last five home games, are 8-1 against the number in their last nine games overall and have cashed in eight of their last eight games when they’re a home favorite.
NBA PLAYOFFS PREDICTION: BROOKLYN NETS -12.5