Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets 4/23/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Matchup Preview (4/23/22)

Two games into this series, and it is everything that NBA fans hoped it would be. Now, the Celtics will head to Brooklyn for the next two games that are in Barclays. Boston has played stifling defense that rattled Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Game Two. Luckily, Brooklyn’s help is on the way: Ben Simmons is set to return in Game Four for the Nets. Simmons may not contribute much in the points column, but he is an exceptional player in every other way. Brooklyn has struggled at times defensively this season, and adding a First Team All-Defense player surely has to help on that end. Additionally, Simmons is a spectacular playmaker who can create for other guys; that will come in handy when Durant and Irving are off the ball. This game will be a barnburner until the end, so look below at which team I favor in this one!

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Odds

By now, everyone who follows and reads my articles knows how much I hate betting on Brooklyn against the spread at home. This season, the Nets are 9-32-1 against the spread at home. It is almost impossible to be that bad ATS; even historically bad teams occasionally cover extra-wide spreads at home! Brooklyn may grab the win, but a 3.5-point spread is too much for it to cover. I will take the C’s ATS happily.

How To Watch

Date: 4/23/22
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY
Channel: ESPN

Live Stream Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Free Online: Watch Every NBA Game

You can stream this game online for free. You can get a free 7-day trial and live stream NBA games from any device. Click the banner below and start watching.

Boston Celtics Starting Lineup

PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Al Horford
C: Daniel Theis

Boston Celtics Analysis

Boston did exactly what I said it needed to do: win both games at home before heading to Brooklyn. The Celtics are without a doubt looking in their rearview mirror at Ben Simmons, who is quickly approaching his Nets debut. Simmons won’t single-handedly will the Nets to a series win against Boston, but his length, defense, passing, and playmaking will undoubtedly help the Nets get more open looks and free up Durant and Kyrie. Simmons is pacing to make his return in Game Four, so he will be available from that point, which could spell trouble. The C’s need to grab Game Three if they want to feel like they have things fully under control. Regardless, Boston’s defense has been stifling; it held Kevin Durant to 4-for-17 shooting and forced him to commit six turnovers. After playing electric basketball for six straight weeks, Kyrie Irving was also held in check to ten points on 4-for-13 shooting. This C’s defense is the best in the league, and it has only ramped up during the playoffs. I’ll say it now: Boston is a legitimate title contender and will likely make an NBA Finals appearance this season.

Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup

PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Seth Curry
SF: Bruce Brown Jr.
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Andre Drummond

Brooklyn Nets Analysis

Losing the first two games of this series against Boston on the road is not the end of the world. There is still a silver lining: Ben Simmons will likely be back in Game Four. The key for the Nets right now is to make sure that they win Game Three. Brooklyn had its moments defensively where it forced turnovers and got out in transition. It started the game hot by feeding Bruce Brown Jr off movements offensively when the C’s were hyper-focused on Durant and Irving. This will continue to happen, so it will be up to a lot of Brooklyn’s role players to step up and hit shots. However, don’t expect Durant and Irving to struggle as much as they did in Game Two; they are two of the most extraordinary offensive talents alive, and no defense in the world can permanently contain them.