GAME START TIME: @11:30am (AEDT)
GAME BREAKDOWN:
Tomorrow, the Boston Celtics take on the Nets at home in Boston and are looking to continue their dominance as the 1 seed in the East.
The Nets will suit up without KD again and of course without the imposter himself Ben Simmons. The thief (Simmons) is on nearly 40 million a year and putting up 7,6,6 and not half the defender he was at Philly so it is better off he is not playing tomorrow. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving has been unreal over the past 10 as he averages 31 points, 6 boards and 7 dimes. He will have to drop 35+ for Brooklyn to have a chance tomorrow and his centre Nic Claxton will need to support him. Claxton has also been impressive over the last 10 averaging 18ppg, 11rpg and 3 blocks a game on an insane 75% from the field! He is really starting to come into form and look like a top 10 centre in the league.
Unfortunately for the Nets, Boston seems to have the nod over them. Not to mention it’s Boston and they are often unstoppable on both sides of the floor. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have played on different levels this season as they have led the 1-seeded Celtics to a 36-15 record. Tatum, averaging 32 and 11 over his last 10 has just taken over games whenever he wants to. Not to mention 6th man Malcolm Brogdon finding form over his last 10 as well. Brogdon averages 19 points on 47% from the 3-point line which is incredible.
NETS BREAKDOWN:
As I previously mentioned, Kyrie Irving and Nic Claxton are going to have to carve up Boston’s defence to win this game. The Nets are known for their electric offence and that’s exactly what they will need to be in tomorrow’s matchup. The supporting cast of the Nets including O’neale, Harris, Curry, and Thomas will need to show up for double-digit scoring games with above-average efficiency to help Irving and Claxton dominate.
The Nets have won 3 of their last 4 and I can’t write them off tomorrow just because they play Boston. We all know Irving loves to play against his former teams and won’t be surprised to see a 40-piece from the superstar point guard. Claxton is on for a 20-point double-double as well in my opinion, even though I don’t see the Nets coming out with the win, they in no way will go down without a fight.
Claxton can do whatever he wants in the paint at such high efficiency mainly because the fraud himself (Ben Simmons) is not there to pull up a camp chair in the paint and sit down and just observe. I think the Nets are so much better without him on the floor and they have a decent shot to win the game tomorrow. A line bet with an 8.5+ start would be a great shout (Currently paying $1.88 on Sportsbet) if you are into the shorter singles.
CELTICS BREAKDOWN:
Brown and Tatum are probably two of the top 10 players in the league right now and Tatum is top 3 behind Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic (in my opinion). They just do so many things right as a team. From the stars to the role-playing starters to the supporting unit, everything just clicks and that’s why they are where they are right now. A pleasure to watch this team play and a championship run is right around the corner for this team.
I’ll start off by talking about Jayson Tatum. Tatum shows up against the Nets 9 times out of 10 and he just loves dominating the big games. He has had a poor start against them this season but in no doubt, he will be after a big game tomorrow. Even if he doesn’t play to his par, Jaylen Brown is just one of those guys who you just can’t remember a shot he actually missed. He has taken his play to the next level as of late. He will destroy the Nets’ defence tomorrow and I have 0 doubt in that comment and will eat my words if I am to be proven wrong.
THE VERDICT:
Who wins: Boston gets up just, a 1-10 margin
Players to watch: Jaylen Brown (CELTICS) Kyrie Irving (NETS)
Same Game Multi:
Brown: 20 points, 4 rebounds
Irving: 25 points 4 assists
Claxton: 15 points 8 rebounds
Tatum: 25 points
Odds @5 via Sportsbet