Friday, March 21, 6:30 PM on CSNE, YES

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

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Even though they'll never catch Philadelphia or Milwaukee, it appears the Boston Celtics may have finally entered tank mode to finish out their 2014 season. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett likely hold no ill will about leaving Boston as the Nets' hot March surges them towards the playoffs.

Even with Garnett missing time with back spasms lately, Brooklyn has won straight and against the spread in 8 of their last 10 games. They have wins in Miami, Chicago, and Memphis in that time but have one bad mark on the sheet, an 84-91 loss in Boston on March 7th as 5 point favorites. Still Brooklyn has jumped into the 5 spot in the East and is only 2 games back from the Bulls to wrestle away home court for the teams' likely first round postseason battle.

Boston's lone bright spot in March were back to back victories that started with the Brooklyn win. After beating Detroit they dropped 5 straight, although going 3-2 ATS during the process. Boston has struggled to score in their last 5, failing to break 92 points except for a 120-121 OT loss in New Orleans. With 22 wins the Celtics are locked in a 3 way tie for fourth worst record in the league, although a victory over a conference rival is always on the agenda.

In the March 7th meeting in Boston, the Celtics were 5 point dogs but went on to win outright by 7 points. Rajon Rondo led a 4 person double figure scoring group with 20 points. The Nets put 5 players in double figures but Boston's 44% field goal shooting was too much to overcome. Oddsmakers predicted a higher scoring affair but the 175 combined points fall well under the total of 200.5.

ATS Trends

Boston is 19-13-1 ATS on the road this season

Boston is 13-20-0 against the over/under on the road this season

Brooklyn is 19-13-0 ATS at home this season

Brooklyn is 17-14-1 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Boston 

02/28/14 F Gerald Wallace Knee out for season
02/20/14 C Vitor Faverani Knee out indefinitely
01/14/14 G Keith Bogans Personal out indefinitely

Brooklyn 

12/22/13 C Brook Lopez Foot out for season
03/18/14 F Andrei Kirilenko Toe questionable
03/18/14 F Kevin Garnett Back expected to miss Friday vs. Boston

Josh's Pick: Take Brooklyn

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