Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions November 13th 2024

Nets vs Celtics November 13th 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Brooklyn Nets (-380) will host the Boston Celtics (+300) in an Eastern Atlantic Division matchup. The Celtics are favored by 8.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 217.5.

Currently, the Celtics are 9-3 and 2nd in the Eastern Conference. The Nets are 5-6 and 6th in the East.

Celtics vs. Nets Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets
• Where: Brooklyn at Barclays Center
• Date: Wednesday, November 13th
• Betting Odds BOS -8.5, BOS -380 | BKN +300 O/U 217.5

The Celtics Can Win If…

The Celtics fell to 9-3 on the season after a narrow 117-116 loss to the Hawks on Tuesday. Boston, who were -16.5 point favorites at home, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 233, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 225.

Boston appeared in control after a strong 2nd quarter, where they outscored Atlanta 34-25, but the Hawks rallied in the 2nd half. Atlanta chipped away with a 30-26 3rd quarter and completed the comeback by outscoring Boston 33-25 in the 4th.

Jaylen Brown’s 37 points on 63.6% shooting led the Celtics in their 117-116 loss to the Hawks, with Derrick White adding 31 points and 7 threes at 58.3%. Boston hit 18 threes at a 40% clip, shooting 50.7% overall from the field.

Brown scored 16 points in the 1st quarter and added 11 in the 4th, while White contributed 12 points in the final period. Jayson Tatum struggled, shooting 31.2% and finishing with 20 points, including just 2 in the 4th quarter.

Defensively, the Celtics gave up 117 points to the Hawks, including 33 in the 4th quarter, despite a strong 2nd quarter where they allowed just 25 points. Boston managed to limit Atlanta’s three-point shooting, holding them to 31% from deep with only 10 made threes.

Boston sent Atlanta to the line 13 times, where they hit 7 free throws. The Celtics grabbed 28 defensive rebounds but allowed 20 offensive boards. They also recorded 7 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

• Across their ten previous road games, Boston has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 8-2 while averaging 114 points per game.
• In their last three contests as the favorite, Boston has a poor record vs the spread going 1-2. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 2-1.
• Over their last three games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Nets Can Win If…

The Nets improved to 5-6 on the season with a 107-105 win over the Pelicans on Monday. Brooklyn, who entered the game as -1.5 point favorites, covered the spread with the two-point victory. The game’s total score of 212 points narrowly exceeded the O/U line of 210.5.

Brooklyn started strong, leading 26-22 after the 1st quarter, but the Pelicans responded with a 10-0 run, turning a 29-25 deficit into a 35-29 lead. New Orleans outscored the Nets in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but Brooklyn’s defense stepped up in the 4th, holding the Pelicans to 20 points while scoring 26 to secure the win.

The Nets’ offense in their win over the Pelicans was powered by their three-point shooting, as they hit 19 threes at a 45.2% clip. Despite shooting just 42.9% overall from the field, their long-range success was a key factor in the victory.

Cam Thomas led the way with 17 points, including 10 in the 4th quarter, and knocked down 4 threes at an 80% rate. Noah Clowney also hit 5 threes, finishing with 15 points, 6 of which came in the final period.

Despite a rough 2nd quarter where they allowed 34 points, the Nets tightened up their defense in the 4th, giving up just 20 points to secure a 107-105 win over the Pelicans. Brooklyn held New Orleans to 44% shooting from the field.

The Nets limited the Pelicans’ three-point shooting, allowing just 10 made threes on 33% shooting. New Orleans went to the line 12 times, making 11 free throws. Brooklyn finished with 4 steals and 5 blocks.

• In their last three home games, Brooklyn has averaged 103 points per game while allowing 106. The team’s record in this stretch was 1-2 while going 3-0.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Nets have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 3-0.
• In their last five games, the Nets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Celtics is our selection to secure the victory, with a projected score of 124-101. We also like them to cover the spread, so we suggest betting on the Celtics at -8.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 217.5 and given that our model is projecting 225 points between the teams, we like the over.

NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Nets Seek Rare Win Against Celtics Amid Promising Recent Performances

The Brooklyn Nets head into Wednesday night’s game against the Boston Celtics with renewed momentum after a series of close contests and an encouraging recent win. Historically, this matchup has heavily favored the Celtics, who hold an 11-1 record over the past 12 regular-season meetings, with eight of those victories by double digits. Despite this trend, Brooklyn hopes to leverage its latest improvements and finally secure a rare win against its Eastern Conference rival at the Barclays Center.

A Recent History of Close Calls

The first face-off this season between the Celtics and Nets on November 8 was a nail-biter, with Boston escaping in overtime with a 108-104 win. Brooklyn got off to a blazing start, scoring the game’s first 12 points, but the Celtics rallied to win. This was just one of many close losses for Brooklyn, who has been struggling to finish strong against top-tier teams this season.

Since that near win in Boston, the Nets have shown glimpses of their potential, going 5-4 across nine games. They’ve taken their opponents down to the wire in several matches, including a recent 105-100 loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers, in which they held a double-digit lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Building Momentum with a Resilient Win

In their latest outing, Brooklyn achieved a confidence-boosting 107-105 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, where they demonstrated clutch performances in the final moments—a promising sign for a team working to close games stronger. Cam Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, hit the decisive 3-pointer with just 32.9 seconds remaining, lifting the Nets to a much-needed win.

Brooklyn’s well-rounded offensive approach was on full display, with seven players scoring in double figures and the team hitting a season-high 19 three-pointers. Thomas contributed a balanced 17 points and seven rebounds, while Cameron Johnson and Dennis Schroder added 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Nets’ collective scoring shows that they’re increasingly finding ways to distribute the offensive load, which will be key against a defensive powerhouse like Boston.

Adjusting Lineups and Key Contributions

Brooklyn has been flexible with their lineup, benching Ben Simmons in favor of other rotations to capitalize on matchups. Simmons finished with six points and an impressive 12 assists, playing a strong supporting role off the bench. In a similar adjustment, Ziaire Williams replaced Dorian Finney-Smith, who is sidelined with an ankle sprain. Brooklyn may look to these lineup tweaks to keep Boston’s defense on its toes.

As forward Noah Clowney remarked after the Pelicans game, “We had a few games against really good teams where we played down to the wire and didn’t close in the fourth. So, for us to close in the fourth was a big step in the right direction.” Clowney’s statement encapsulates the Nets’ growth mindset, which they’ll need to draw on as they face the Celtics.

Boston’s Strong Season but Recent Stumbles

For the Celtics, who are among the favorites to win the NBA title, the primary goal will be to bounce back from a rare loss. In their most recent game, Boston surrendered a 15-point lead and lost to the Atlanta Hawks, 117-116, in their first NBA in-season tournament game. Boston’s performance was marred by uncharacteristic lapses, including 20 turnovers and a season-high 20 offensive rebounds allowed.

Jaylen Brown, who missed the November 8 game against Brooklyn, returned to score a season-high 37 points, while Derrick White added 31 points. However, Jayson Tatum struggled, going 5-for-16 from the field, and the Celtics’ lack of cohesion allowed the Hawks to mount a comeback. “Too careless,” Brown said after the game. “Uncharacteristic of us to have 20 turnovers in any circumstance…we’ve got to be better.”

Boston will likely enter Wednesday’s game determined to avoid consecutive losses for the first time this season. Yet, their recent issues with turnovers and rebounding could give Brooklyn an opportunity to disrupt their rhythm.

Game Outlook: Nets’ Keys to Victory

Brooklyn’s best chance to overcome Boston will rest on a few key factors:

1. Defense and Execution in the Fourth Quarter: The Nets have struggled to close out games against top teams, so maintaining defensive intensity and staying focused late in the game will be critical.
2. Balanced Scoring and 3-Point Shooting: Brooklyn’s recent success with three-pointers and balanced scoring will be crucial against Boston, a team that can shut down individual scorers with their defense.
3. Capitalizing on Boston’s Turnover Struggles: The Celtics have shown vulnerability to turnovers, which could allow Brooklyn to generate fast-break points and shift momentum if they can apply defensive pressure effectively.
4. Simmons and Williams’ Contributions: With Ben Simmons embracing his bench role and Ziaire Williams likely stepping up for the injured Dorian Finney-Smith, the Nets’ ability to adapt their lineup to match Boston’s strong roster may make a difference in keeping the game close.

Conclusion: A Chance for Redemption

While the Celtics remain the stronger team on paper, the Nets are playing with a sense of urgency and growth. Brooklyn’s recent adjustments, along with their competitive performances in tough games, give reason for optimism. If the Nets can control the pace, stay disciplined, and capitalize on Boston’s occasional lapses, they may just achieve the rare win they’re looking for on Wednesday night.

With their improved depth, balanced scoring, and adjustments in strategy, Brooklyn has the potential to make this an exciting and hard-fought matchup. A victory could prove to be a significant step forward for the Nets as they continue their pursuit of becoming more competitive in the Eastern Conference.