The Boston Celtics are not at full strength, and admittedly, neither are the Brooklyn Nets, in the Eastern Conference’s No. 2-No. 7 matchup. Robert Williams and Ben Simmons are key holdouts that would immensely support their teams’ defensive causes in a series dictated by superstar offensive talents.
With that said, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and the ‘Jays’ may be in luck.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, on the other hand, might be feeling the delayed karmic consequences for recklessly spouting off at the mouth during the 2021 postseason.
The ‘Time Lord’ is flirting with a key Game 3 return according to Shams Charania:
Boston Celtics center Robert Williams is close to a return and could play in Game 3 (Saturday) or Game 4 (Monday) vs. Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Final determination will be made on how Williams feels day-to-day after suffering torn meniscus on March 27.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 22, 2022
Meanwhile per Adrian Wojnarowski, Simmons plans on returning to the court for what could be a back-against-the-wall kind of Game 4 for the Brooklyn Nets:
Barring a setback, Brooklyn's Ben Simmons plans to play in Game 4 on Monday vs. the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 22, 2022
Will the Nets dig themselves an impossible hole to climb themselves out of, or are the Cs due for a letdown at the Barclays Center on Saturday night?
Hardwood Houdini has your odds, lays a prediction for the ESPN-televised Eastern Conference tilt:
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are a 3.5-point underdog against the Nets on the road. Brooklyn is a favorite at home at -155, with the Cs moneyline set at +127. The over/under for the game has been placed at 223.5 points.
Celtics vs. Nets prediction
This Nets team has been a disaster behind the scenes all season, and with even the slight hint of the ‘Time Lord’ returning, the Houdini likes the chances of a 3-0 series lead.