Boston Celtics fans, it’s time. Banner 18 feels closer than it has in quite some time, but the Eastern Conference postseason begins with an opponent fit to be the first stepping stone towards immortality.
It’ll be the inverse matchup of the 2021 NBA postseason’s east No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup. The Cs are now the team that is rolling into the second season with momentum and the Brooklyn Nets are the team dealing with injury issues and having had to have beaten the No. 8 seed in the NBA Play-in.
A year ago, the Nets big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden played their only healthy playoff series together. Beating up on Boston–which extended into Durant and Irving taking liberties with their trash talk to the entire city–made Brooklyn look like a bona fide contender.
This time around, Harden is gone, and Jayson Tatum and (a now healthy) Jaylen Brown will be looking to advance as a high-seed that has given fans hope for a championship. To boot, the Nets will be without Ben Simmons for, at minimum, the first three games in the series.
How does Game 1 shake out on Sunday afternoon as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the rest of Steve Nash’s Nets take on Ime Udoka’s Boston Celtics in their postseason debut?
Hardwood Houdini has the odds for the Sunday matinee:
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are a 4-point favorite against the Nets at home. Brooklyn is an underdog on the road at +145, with the Cs moneyline set at -220. The over/under for the game has been placed at 224 points.
Celtics vs. Nets prediction
The Houdini isn’t sure about laying four on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in Game 1 of a postseason matchup.
If this game doesn’t reach overtime, it has the makings for a razor-close under hit.