Betsided

Nets vs. Celtics Prediction and Odds for Game 1 (Don't Doubt the Defense in Boston)

By Ben Heisler

Nets forward Kevin Durant posts up on Jayson Tatum of the Celtics. Boston is a 4.5-point favorite in Game 1 and a -125 favorite to win the series.
Nets forward Kevin Durant posts up on Jayson Tatum of the Celtics. Boston is a 4.5-point favorite in Game 1 and a -125 favorite to win the series. / Adam Glanzman/GettyImages
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The Brooklyn Nets are out of the Play-In Round and into the NBA Playoffs.

Despite being the second-highest favorite to win the East, and top favorite to win the NBA Finals for most of the season, they're now underdogs in the series against the Boston Celtics when both teams tip off Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Boston took the last three games in their head-to-head matchups this season, with Brooklyn snagging an early victory back in late November. Can they make it four straight this weekend?

Here are the latest odds ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated showdown over at WynnBET Sportsbook.

Nets vs. Celtics Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Nets: +4 (-110)
  • Celtics: -4 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Nets: +145
  • Celtics: -175

Total:

  • 224 (Over -108/Under -108)

Find out who the BetSided team is betting and fading ahead of the NBA Playoffs this weekend!

Nets vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick

Earlier this week, I wrote about why I like the Nets to win the series in seven against a Boston team that may be a bit overlooked by the public; despite oddsmakers giving them their proper credit as favorites.

However, where I think the real value lies, at least for Game 1 is on the total.

We know how dominant the Celtics defense has been since their 16-19 turnaround; going 35-12 since the start of the new year. Boston led the NBA in Defensive Rating by 0.4 points over the Golden State Warriors. Since the start of 2022, Boston's defensive rating is 105.2, a full 3.5 points higher than the Phoenix Suns who led the league with 64 wins.

Boston also finished that final four and a half month stretch with a net rating of 12.7; leading those same Suns by an absurd 4.6 points.

However, as Reed Wallach points out in his Nets-Celtics deep dive, the Nets' defense is better than the overall numbers indicate. Brooklyn has the length to be able to switch on pick and roll, and since March 13th, Brooklyn is a top 10 defensive rating team.

224 is a reasonable number for both teams with a lot of offensive talent to get to, but as both teams start to figure each other out, I expect the pace to really slow down late. If anything, it might be an ideal spot to grab the under live heading into the 4th quarter.

LEAN: UNDER 224 (-110)

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