Nets vs Celtics

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets on January 12. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

While we’ve mostly focused on the hole that Durant will leave in the Brooklyn offense, he is also one of the best defensive players for the Nets. Still, I think the Nets will feel a bigger loss on offense than on defense with Durant out of the lineup, at least in their first game without him. Both of these teams play at a fairly average pace, though Boston tends to play the higher-scoring games of the two. It’s possible that [Ben Simmons](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/1645/ben-simmons) (7.7 ppg) could step up with Durant out, but he has never been a great scorer, and he has looked even less interested in taking shots in Brooklyn than he did with the Philadelphia 76ers. [Nic Claxton](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/2612/nic-claxton), who has averaged just 11.9 points per game this year. I don’t think Brooklyn will be nearly that bad without Durant this season, but there will still be a period of adjustment. The biggest factor to consider tonight will be the impact of Durant’s injury. I’m on the Over, as it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing much of the scoring for Brooklyn tonight. Irving is not only in an excellent position to take advantage of these opportunities but might be the only Nets player who truly can. Irving is averaging 26 points per game this year and has done so while playing second fiddle to Durant in the Brooklyn offense. It’s the second year in a row in which Durant has missed time due to an MCL issue following a collision with an opposing player. Durant was in the running for his second career MVP award before the injury, and Brooklyn will hope he misses as little time as possible.

The Brooklyn Nets host the Boston Celtics on Thursday for the second of four matchups. Here's what you need to know to bet on the game.

The Celtics should have the edge in this matchup because of Durant’s absence. In this matchup between teams with the two best records in the Eastern Conference, the game may come down to who isn’t playing as opposed to who he is. Brooklyn is in a tough spot coming into this game and for the next month as well. [103-92](https://netswire.usatoday.com/lists/player-grades-kevin-durant-scores-31-points-as-nets-fall-to-the-celtics/). Boston comes into this game winning 11 of their past 18 games, most recently beating the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114. The Celtics currently lead the regular-season series 1-0.

The Celtics will go for their fifth straight win overall when they face off with the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.

The Nets are 20-7 in Eastern Conference games. If you don’t have cable, you can stream the game on smart TVs and streaming devices via [Sling](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587340&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F) and [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&irmp=1810038&subId3=xid:fr1673557922577hcc), which has a free trial. In the last meeting on Dec. [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&irmp=1810038&subId3=xid:fr1673557922577ajd) - If you have cable and live in New England, you can use your login credentials to watch the game via [NBC Sports](http://stream.nbcsports.com/rsn/nbcs-boston). 4 the Celtics won 103-92 led by 34 points from Brown, while Kevin Durant scored 31 points for the Nets. Boston will have Rob Williams (knee) and Marcus Smart (knee) back in the lineup for the matchup but will be without Al Horford as he rests for the second half of a back-to-back. The game will air on TV via NBC Sports Boston in New England and TNT nationally. What TV channel is the game on? Brooklyn Nets (27-13, second in the Eastern Conference) [NBC Sports](http://stream.nbcsports.com/rsn/nbcs-boston) The Nets have won 16 of 18 overall but will be playing their first game without Kevin Durant since he suffered a sprained MCL earlier this week in Miami. Thursday’s game will start at 7:30 p.m.

Find Nets vs. Celtics predictions, betting odds, moneyline, spread, over/under and more for the January 12 NBA matchup.

The Brooklyn Nets take on the first place Boston Celtics without their top player, Kevin Durant.

He’s helped the Nets defense become one of the league’s very best as he’s fit in well for the most part on that end. Without Durant, a lot more will be asked of him on the offensive end. Tatum is fourth in the NBA in scoring at a shade under 31 points a game on .471/.358/.871 shooting in 36 minutes a night. The Bucks are also going to be shorthanded in their matchup against the Heat. He had 29 points and 11 rebounds the first meeting against Brooklyn, but turned it over a career high nine times that night. Tatum is able to do everything on the court you can ask for and as the superstar of the team, he has them in great position to bring the gold back to Boston.

The NBA MVP race has now narrowed down after the injury to Kevin Durant. While only out a few weeks, his MVP hopes have vanished as others continue to ...

[Ben Simmons](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/ben-simmons) [Seth Curry](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/seth-curry) [Kyrie Irving](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/kyrie-irving) [Al Horford](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/al-horford) [Jayson Tatum](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/jayson-tatum) [Jaylen Brown](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/jaylen-brown) [Derrick White](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/derrick-white) [Marcus Smart](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/marcus-smart) With too much injury uncertainty on both ends, this is a pass for me. Should they slow down Tatum and Brown, then they may be able to keep within scoring pace. The NBA MVP race has now narrowed down after the injury to Kevin Durant. We may see a heavier dose of either or pending who Ben Simmons picks up with the opposite getting the green light.