Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics
11:30am, Barclays Center
The Nets and Celtics meet for the second time in less than a week after the two sides required overtime to decide Saturday’s game.
Boston pulled away four-point winners in the end, but it was a rough and uncharacteristic night overall for the defending champs as Joe Mazzulla’s side shot just 26% from three.
The Nets have a slight edge in this spot with Boston playing Atlanta yesterday, combined with the fact the Celtics now have to travel to Brooklyn on no rest.
Brooklyn’s ability to limit the Celtics from downtown was no fluke as they currently rank Top 10 in three-point shooting percentage allowed.
Given Wednesday’s game was also an NBA Cup fixture, the Celtics might lack the intensity in this one – especially with a two-day break to follow.
Tip: Back the Nets to Cover the Line
New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls
11:30am, Madison Square Garden
The Bulls are off to the Garden after giving the unbeaten Cavs all they could handle on Tuesday.
Chicago led at various stages against the best team in the NBA, before turnovers and some costly defensive mistakes cost them late in the final quarter.
Turning the ball over and poor offensive execution has been the story of the Bulls’ season so far, but on the whole, there’s been a bit to like about Billy Donovan’s side with Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine all averaging close to 20 points a game.
The Knicks, on the other hand, are still battling their way through some key injuries to bench players, while they also head home for this game after playing the Sixers in Philly on Wednesday.
Head to head, the Bulls hold a slight advantage when it comes to three-point shooting and offensive rebounding, so there’s a case to be made for the visitors in this spot.
Tip: Back the Bulls to Cover the Line