| MATCHUP | Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 27-16 | 12-30 |
| Spread | -8.5 -108 | +8.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | -380 | +300 |
| Total | Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110) |
| Where | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY | |
| When | Friday, January 23, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | YES | |
The Boston Celtics invade the Barclays Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction. This article will include a Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets Pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics are starting to heat up again as they’ve won three of their past four games overall and they looked great in their dominant 119-104 win over the Pacers on Wednesday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists on 11 of 22 shooting, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta each scored 17 points while Derrick White chipped in with 13 points.
As a team, the Celtics shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 31 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 66 points in the first half to take an early 23-point lead. This was more than enough to hold off a late rally from the Pacers who cut the lead to nine points at one stage.
Brooklyn Nets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting embarrassed by the Knicks in a 120-66 loss on Wednesday. Michael Porter Jr led the team in scoring with just 12 points while Ziaire Williams added 11 points but no other player scored more than eight points.
As a team, the Nets shot a season-low 29 percent from the field and 11 of 40 from the 3-point line as they failed to match the intensity of a desperate Knicks squad. They never looked like they had a chance after getting outscored by 38-20 in the first quarter. The deficit only grew as the game went on and there was just no relenting from the Knicks who were desperate for a win following a tough stretch.
Why the Brooklyn Nets will win
- The Nets have won three of their last four games as home underdogs following a road loss.
- The Celtics have lost three of their last four games following a win.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the Nets’ last six games.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 11 games at Barclays Center.
- The Nets have lost each of their last 10 games at Barclays Center against Celtics teams that held a winning record.
- The Nets have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games at Barclays Center against Celtics teams that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last six road games following a home win.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Nets’ last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Celtics’ last four games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Brooklyn Nets Player Facts
- Nicolas Claxton is one of only seven qualified players in the league to be leading their team in rebounds (7.5) and assists (4.0) per game this season.
- Cameron Thomas is one of only 15 players to have scored 30+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Neemias Queta ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (65.7%) this season.
- Anfernee Simons is one of only four players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nets rank 30th in the league for field goals made per game this season (37.9).
- The Nets rank 30th in the league for Q1 points per game this season (27.4).
- The Celtics rank 30th in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (19.3).
- The Celtics have made the playoffs in 11 consecutive seasons – longest active streak in the NBA.
Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction
The Celtics are still missing Jayson Tatum, and they have decided to rest Derrick White for this one, while the Nets have ruled out Haywood Highsmith once again. The Celtics have been on a roll lately, and they must be brimming with confidence after smashing the Pacers in their last game, so it’s not too surprising to see them rest Derrick White against the Nets.
They just got trounced by 54 points in an ugly loss to the Knicks in their last outing. I don’t like that the Celtics are resting White for this one as it opens the door for a Nets squad who will surely come out swinging after getting embarrassed in their last outing. This might be close in the first half, but in the end I think the Celtics pull away for the comfortable win and cover on the road.