Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, March 23 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Celtics about a 79% chance, and the Nets would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Celtics 79%, with a projected score of Boston Celtics 119, Brooklyn Nets 110. The rating gap is 329 points in favor of the Celtics, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Nets on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Celtics are 2-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +1.8. The Nets are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -18.
The Celtics' best recent win was 134-99 at home against CHI.
The Nets were beaten 136-101 on the road by TOR not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Celtics score 118 a game and allow 107.7. The Nets score 111 and allow 123.7. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 120.9 for the Celtics and 109.4 for the Nets, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Nets have been tough to score on, which should slow the Celtics.
Injuries to watch
Out: Devin Carter (BOS), expected back Nov 8, 2026, Tyler Bilodeau (BKN), expected back Oct 30, 2026, Joshua Jefferson (BKN), Grant Nelson (BKN), and Drake Powell (BKN).
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Celtics lead 7-1, with the Celtics outscoring the Nets by an average of 10.7 points per game. The last meeting was BKN 111, BOS 148.