[ad_1]
Even with out Kevin Durant, that is going to be a great one. The Celtics go to Brooklyn with the groups separated by simply two video games within the Jap Convention. After shedding to Boston on December 4th, the Nets have gained 14 of their final 15 video games together with a twelve-game profitable streak. KD was clearly an enormous a part of that stretch, however his void will likely be stuffed by a Brooklyn squad lastly getting wholesome. T.J. Warren is again and averaging 10 factors per sport on 55% capturing. Nic Claxton has been a revelation as one of many convention’s greatest defensive facilities and paired with Ben Simmons (averaging almost 6 factors, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists per sport), make up one of many stingiest entrance courts within the league. Kyrie Irving is having one in all his greatest stretches in Brooklyn, averaging 28 factors on 51%/42%/92% splits and he’s even made extra harmful surrounded by the sharpshooting of Seth Curry, Joe Harris, and Yuta Watanabe.
After a December droop, the Celtics have gained 8 of 10 earlier than heading out on this three-game roadie (with two in Charlotte after taking part in the Nets). A lot of that has coincided with the return of Robert Williams. Boston has the fifth greatest protection within the league over their final ten video games, permitting simply 112.1 factors per 100 possessions. The dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are averaging almost 62 factors mixed on 50% capturing. There have definitely been hiccups since their scorching begin in October and November, however this can be a workforce that’s lastly cementing their identification on each side of the ball. There will likely be narratives galore heading into the sport — President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens’ reluctance to commerce Brown et. al. for KD, Kyrie’s historical past with the Celtics, and the #1 seed within the East on the road — however in the end, it’s a great common season measuring stick for 2 of the most well liked groups within the league.
Within the evening cap out west, Luka Doncic will likely be underneath the intense lights to face LeBron James (on 4 days relaxation) and the Lakers. Regardless of the lack of Anthony Davis, LA has stayed afloat at 7-6 and buoyed themselves into the play-in dialog within the Western Convention. LeBron James has confirmed to nonetheless be a top-10 participant and together with his workforce sniffing round a playoff spot, there’s strain for the entrance workplace to make a transfer, however till then, they’ve received robust checks forward, beginning tonight towards the visiting Mavericks. After a seven-game profitable streak and a few ridiculous shows of Luka magic, Dallas has dropped three of 4 in embarrassing trend. They’ll be with out three key members to their rotation (Josh Inexperienced, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Maxi Kleber with Dwight Powell questionable), so tonight’s matchup might simply dissolve right into a mano a mano between LeBron and Luka. It’s Hollywood, proper?
The Celtics are surprisingly 1.5-point favorites heading to Barclays Middle. These odds don’t appear to take into consideration second evening of a back-to-back, the belief that Al Horford gained’t play, the questionable statuses of Marcus Good and Robert Williams, and Jaylen Brown tweaking his hamstring in final evening’s win over the Pelicans at TD Backyard. Dallas are also road favorites at -3.
The subject du jour in Beantown nowadays is Robert Williams. His fingerprints have been all over the Celtics’ turnaround off late, notably on the defensive finish. He’s switching out to faster perimeter gamers and defending the rim together with his 7’6 wingspan. He’s averaging 1.4 blocks per sport as he begins to ramp up and hasn’t reached his common of two.2 from final season, however we’ve seen video games the place he’s been extraordinarily lively within the rejection division. In opposition to the Spurs lower than every week in the past, he swatted 4 pictures with two steals.
Mockingly, the Celtics and Nets are first and second in blocked pictures towards this season at 3.7 and three.8 per sport respectively. However we’re speaking about Robert Williams vs. Kyrie Irving, arguably one of many craftiest guards across the rim. Right here’s a enjoyable prop for tonight’s marquee matchup: our friends at DraftKings have the over/underneath on Time Lord’s block complete at 1.5 (-160/+130). With Al Horford out tonight, Williams ought to get his second begin of the season after sitting final evening and all of the minutes he can deal with on the 5. Perhaps these are my green-tinted glasses speaking, however I believe he’ll get his arms on two pictures tonight.
Take a look at DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook accomplice of SB Nation.
[ad_2]
Source link
