The Steve Nash head coaching era got off to a great start for Brooklyn, as they posted a 125-99 win over the Warriors to start the season. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Co. looked so good that they are -3 point road favorites in the NBA Nets at Celtics pick on Friday afternoon (5:00 PM ET, ABC).
Boston has also gotten off to a 1-0 start, albeit in much tougher fashion in a 122-121 win over the Bucks on Wednesday. The C’s got inundated with a fast pace offense right out of the gates vs. Milwaukee, but they don’t get much of a reprieve vs. a Nets team that showed great depth in their opener.
Brooklyn Looks Stacked
Yes the NBA season is only one game old, but Brooklyn looks like they’ll be one of the most popular wagering options this season. The Nets easily covered the -5 number at home vs. Golden State, The Nets have raced out to the #1 pace in the league after their first game, which was expected with Nash and assistant coach Mike D’Antoni’s system.
Another thing the blowout win did on Tuesday is get Durant and Irving back in the flow heading into the NBA Nets at Celtics pick. Durant missed all of last season, but had 22 points in 25 minutes against his old Warriors teammates. Irving played in 20 games last year, but looked good in scoring 26 points in 26 minutes vs. Golden State.
One of the big reasons to like Brooklyn on Friday is their players not named Kyrie or KD. Caris LeVert has shifted to a bench role, and looks like one of the more productive reserves in the league with a 20/9/5 line vs. the Warriors in the opener. The Nets also have two very competent big men in Deandre Jordan and Jarrett Allen, who combined for 12 and 18 vs. a depleted Warriors front court.
Shorthanded Boston In Trouble?
71% of the betting public is on the Nets going away on Friday. It’s an understandable number as Brooklyn looked great against what could be a struggling Golden State squad in the opener. Boston meanwhile struggled, but also against a very good Milwaukee team that has added some reinforcements. Something that bettors forget is that the C’s won 122-121 on Wednesday as +8.5 ‘dogs.
One reason to fade Boston in this matchup is because they will likely still be without Kemba Walker (knee) and are a bit thin in the front court with both Robert Williams (illness) and Tacko Fall (eye) sidelined. Boston still got 30+ from both Jayson Tatum and Jaylon Brown on Wednesday, but is this team too top heavy?
Free NBA Nets at Celtics Pick
Brooklyn is going to be a very popular betting option on this Christmas Day slate, but the line barely moving despite nearly 3/4ths of bets on the Nets is a red flag. That’s just too much action on Brooklyn, especially since Boston coach Brad Stevens found a way to beat the heavily favored Bucks in the season opener.
Celtics 112 – Nets 108
Free Pick: Celtics +3
