The NBA All-Star break comes to an end this week, as the action kicks back off in the Eastern Conference with an exciting match-up between two sides that will both be jostling for positions between now and the end of the season. But, will it be the Boston Celtics or Brooklyn Nets that kick off the second half of the season with a big win?
Celtics @ Nets Odds
| Boston Celtics (+3.0) | -103 |
| Brooklyn Nets (-3.0) | -117 |
Celtics @ Nets Preview
Celtics In Red Hot Form
The NBA All-Star break couldn’t have come at a worse stage of the season for the Boston Celtics, as they seemed to have really found their groove in the lead up to the break. Boston will come into this game in excellent form, as they have picked up wins in their last four games in the NBA. That excellent run of form has seen them rise up the Eastern Conference standings to fourth, as they now have a win percentage of .528. They may be looking to achieve a higher finish than that to ensure a more straightforward run of games in the post-season, but they will be competing against the Milwaukee Bucks, Nets and Sixers for top-spot.
Boston’s last win before the break in play came against the Toronto Raptors, as they beat a depleted Toronto side 132-125. The game looked to be getting away from the Celtics at half-time, but they managed to outscore the Raptors 35-22 in the third period to turn the tide in their favour. Jayson Tatum continued his excellent form this season with a double-double in that win, as he contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds. Jaylen Brown scored 21, while Grant Williams had 17.
Nets Among Favourites To Win NBA This Season
The Brooklyn Nets will return to NBA action sitting second in the Eastern Conference, but they are breathing down the necks of the side currently at the top of the conference. Brooklyn remain many people’s pick to win the conference this season, and their recent form has been exceptional. The Nets have won nine of their previous ten, which includes back-to-back wins since defeat against the Dallas Mavericks in their last home game. Both of the Nets recent wins have come on the road, as they beat the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
The latter of those games saw all the attention on James Harden, as he returned to Houston for the first time since leaving the franchise earlier in the season. Harden ensured that he was in the headlines after the game, as he scored 29 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in the 132-114 victory. Kyrie Irving scored 24, while Joe Harris added 19 in the win.
Celtics @ Nets Prediction
This is an excellent way to get the action in the NBA back underway, as two of the most in-form sides will be coming up against each other. However, despite the Celtics recent four-game winning run, it remains difficult to see past the Nets picking up their third straight win.
