Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets 8/5/20: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds

Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets Preview

With Brooklyn’s two consecutive wins, they have, at least for the moment, moved up to the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference, eclipsing the Orlando Magic and in place to avoid the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.

Brooklyn is 32-35 on the season and tonight, they take on another Eastern Conference contender in the Boston Celtics, who are 44-23 and seem to have the third seed locked up even though they’ve gone 1-2 in the bubble.

The last time these teams met was just prior to the shutdown, with the Nets winning 129-120, largely in part to Caris LeVert’s 51-point night. While LeVert and several of the Nets starters were out in their win against the Bucks last night, they’ll return tonight.

TV Schedule

Date: 8/5/20
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Arena: The Arena, Orlando, FL
Channel: ESPN

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

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

Injuries

Celtics: Kemba Walker (DTD)
Nets: Jamal Crawford (DTD)

Celtics Starting 5

PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Gordon Hayward
C: Daniel Theis

Celtics Analysis

The Boston Celtics are hoping to get back into the win column tonight as they take on the Brooklyn Nets. In their game yesterday, they were bested by the Miami Heat 112-106, even with Jimmy Butler out.

“We weren’t solid, and they exposed that,” Stevens said. “Our defense has to improve from what it’s been in the three games or so.”

Boston allowed 50 points from the Celtics frontcourt, including 21-point games from Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson.

While Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Jayson Tatum all scored in double figures, the Celtics dug themselves into an early hole they just couldn’t get out of, and they likely didn’t get enough help from their bench.

Marcus Smart, who had just three points yesterday, will have to step up with Kemba Walker sitting out tonight.

Nets Starting 5

PG: Chris Chiozza
SG: Caris LeVert
SF: Joe Harris
PF: Lance Thomas
C: Jarrett Allen

Nets Analysis

A lot of jokes were made about this Brooklyn Nets roster heading into the NBA restart, but they’ve won their last two games and are 2-1 in the bubble. Brooklyn had their three remaining starters sidelined last night, and were able to come back and get a win against the first-place Milwaukee Bucks.

“I totally do believe in momentum and the momentum of keeping your spirit in check,” said Nets coach Jacque Vaughn. “We talked about as a group the symbolism of bamboo, being extremely resilient and extremely flexible and adaptable. Tonight was another example; we had to be all of those three things with the different lineup. So overall, that concept has stayed with us, and I hope it continues.”

While the Bucks chose to rest Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton in the second half, the chances of a Nets win were still slim, as evidenced by the pre-game moneyline. The Nets were huge underdogs, so anyone betting on them was paid handsomely.

The Nets needed several players to step up in order to have a chance, and they did so in a big way, starting with Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, who had 26 points in the win. Garrett Temple added 19 and Tyler Johnson had 11. Chris Chiozza, who has played well for the Nets, finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists off the bench, and Justin Anderson also got in on the action, becoming the sixth Nets player to reach double figures.

Celtics vs. Nets Fantasy Basketball Angle

Boston has several viable fantasy options, but with Kemba Walker out, I’d go with Jayson Tatum. On FanDuel, he is available for $8.3k and is projected to rack up 43.8 fantasy points. With increased minutes and role tonight, Marcus Smart is a good value addition to the bottom of your lineup. His salary is $5.8k with a 30.2 point projection.

With LeVert returning to the lineup for Brooklyn, he has to be the best bet. He has been on fire since play in the bubble started. At $7.4k, he’s a good value as well and is expected to finish with 38.7 points. Joe Harris is available at an insanely low $4.7k, so that’s a low-risk, potential high-reward situation, especially if you want to add some shooting to your lineup. He’s projected for 26 fantasy points, giving him 5.52 pointer per $1k ratio.

Celtics vs. Nets Betting Odds

Celtics Moneyline: -350
Nets Moneyline: +280
Over/Under: 226

Boston was an 8.5-point favorite to open the day, but there’s been some movement on the moneyline and the spread is now Boston at +5.5. The Nets are 34-17-13 against the spread, while Boston is 32-16-17.

This season, the Celtics are 32-12 as the favorite, while the Nets seem to perform well as the underdog with a 14-7 record.