Celtics vs. Nets NBA Playoffs Game 4 Picks and Odds Breakdown (Archive)
This first-round matchup between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets has turned into Kevin Durant’s worst nightmare. He will have the chance to save himself and his team some embarrassment as they look to avoid a first-round sweep. The Celtics are in total control of the series but there is money to be made on this NBA Playoffs game, so let’s break it down so we can cash another ticket.
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets
Monday, April 25, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at Barclays Center
It's Now or Never for Brooklyn
The Nets aren't going to win this series but getting swept will have serious repercussions. You'd have to imagine that this Nets team will look very different next season after this debacle of a first round.
Even though Kevin Durant is getting most of the blame, I think Steve Nash should be the one on the hot seat here. What evidence do we have that Nash knows what he's doing? He was outcoached in last year's playoffs and when you watch the Nets offense, it isn't exactly fluid.
Join Now: $1,000 BMR 12-Week All Sports Challenge
Now Durant is getting a large chunk of the blame because, by his standards, he's been awful. If you think he's the best player in the world, your argument as of today looks very weak. I do think he'll bounce back tonight and at least have one good game and I assume that plays some part in tonight's NBA odds.
Despite being down 3-0 in the series, the line for this game opened at Nets -2 before catching some steam and now sits at Nets -1. I'm not sure I can buy the narrative that just because KD plays better, the Nets automatically win this game.
Celtics Defense Is the Real Deal
From the end of January until now, the Boston Celtics have been the best team in the NBA by almost any metric you want to use. We'll start with the most obvious ones which are wins and in those last 32 regular-season games, they went 26-6.
For comparison, the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors won 25 games each during that period but also played more games (the Suns played 34 and the Raptors played 36) than Boston did.
Prop Bets: Check Out Our Player Props By BMR's Expert Handicappers
The Celtics were the number one defense in the league during that span, with a rating of 105.9, which was a full 3.7 points per 100 possessions better than the next best team. If they continue at that pace, they have a serious chance to make the NBA Finals.
There's a lot to do between now and then, starting with beating the Nets one more time. I'm not sure that will be tonight but I do know the Celtics' defense is one of the main reasons Durant has been so bad in this series.
My Pick
The Celtics' defense is also the main reason that my official NBA pick for today is on the total and not the side. The total for today's game is 220 at most of the top-rated online sportsbooks. I'm taking the under because the Nets' offense is very basic. It's either Kyrie Irving and Durant both play well at the same time or they lose this game.
Even if both do play well, I don't anticipate the Nets getting over 105-108 points tonight. This is a do-or-die atmosphere and I think this game will be played at a slow pace with limited opportunities in terms of transition baskets. My official pick is Under 220 (-110).
NBA Pick: Under 220 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.