The Brooklyn Nets are one win away from a regular season series sweep against the Boston Celtics. Can they do it with only Kyrie Irving and a possibly limited Kevin Durant?
Catch the game tomorrow, 7:00 AM, Manila time.
HOME TEAM: Brooklyn Nets (39-20, 23-7 at home)
Projected Starting Five
- Kyrie Irving
- Landry Shamet
- Jeff Green
- Blake Griffin (Kevin Durant is day-to-day)
- DeAndre Jordan
The Nets are flip-flopping between wins and losses over their last eight games. They are still boasting that high-octane offense regardless, though, as they’re doing it putting up 119.8 points per game – the second highest in the league in that stretch.
Injuries have been bugging this Nets squad all season, and they’ll field another depleted roster tomorrow. Kevin Durant (thigh) has a chance to play according to head coach Steve Nash, but he may see limited action. James Harden (hamstring), meanwhile, who doesn’t even have a timetable for his return, will remain in the sidelines.
With all that, Kyrie Irving will stay put as the focal point of the attack. He’s averaging 24.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in the aforementioned stretch. Even better are his numbers against the Celtics this season, as he has compiled an insane 38.5 PPG on 63.6% shooting in two match-ups.
Landry Shamet and Joe Harris are two guys to lookout for in the Nets’ long list of secondary weapons. Both are averaging 19 PPG in their last four games.
The Nets are 4-2 in their last six games ATS.
ROAD TEAM: Boston Celtics (32-27, 13-16 on the road)
Projected Starting Five
- Kemba Walker
- Marcus Smart
- Semi Ojeleye / Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Tristan Thompson
After snapping a six-game winning streak, the Celtics went back to the win column on Friday. They eased past the Suns, 99-86.
Jaylen Brown missed Friday’s game due to a shoulder injury, and Kemba Walker was there to pick-up the slack. The veteran PG tied his season-high and scored 32 points on 11-for-17 shooting, easily one of his best and most efficient games this season. He actually filled two voids since leading scorer Jayson Tatum was ice-cold for the night – 15 points on 3-for-17 shooting.
Brown may return tomorrow but we ought to look for a better outing from Tatum. He should be able to deliver a better performance tomorrow. Walker will be interesting to anticipate as he has momentum and in an exciting match-up opposite Irving.
Tatum is averaging 25.5 PPG in the season series, which is followed by Brown and Smart’s 24 and 16 PPG, respectively.
Boston is 6-1 in its last seven games ATS.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread:
Being on the second night of back-to-back, the Celtics will probably struggle keeping up with the Nets. That said, it may still be a close game, with the Nets failing to cover the -5 spread.
Over/Under:
It’s a stout O/U for two teams who are missing players. Go with the under 232.5.
