Brooklyn Nets (21-32, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (42-12, first in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE: Celtics -12.5; over/under is 226.5
BOTTOM LINE: Boston faces the Brooklyn Nets after Jayson Tatum scored 41 points in the Boston Celtics' 118-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The Celtics are 29-6 in conference matchups. Boston ranks fifth in the NBA giving up just 111.0 points per game while holding opponents to 44.9% shooting.
The Nets are 14-16 in conference play. Brooklyn is 3-6 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The 120.4 points per game the Celtics average are 5.2 more points than the Nets allow (115.2). The Nets average 113.9 points per game, 2.9 more than the 111.0 the Celtics give up.
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Celtics won the last meeting 118-110 on Feb. 14, with Tatum scoring 41 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is averaging 27.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 15.3 points over the last 10 games for Boston.
Nicolas Claxton is averaging 12.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for the Nets. Cameron Thomas is averaging 25.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 45.5% over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 120.8 points, 46.5 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 5.7 steals and 6.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.8 points per game.
Nets: 4-6, averaging 113.6 points, 39.5 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.8 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Xavier Tillman Sr.: out (knee), Jaden Springer: out (ankle), Kristaps Porzingis: out (back).
Nets: Cameron Johnson: out (adductor), Dariq Whitehead: out for season (shin).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
