The Boston Celtics vs. the Brooklyn Nets is easily one of the most compelling first-round playoff matchups in recent NBA memory. The Celtics are the hottest team in basketball, winning 26 of their final 32 on their way to securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn, despite an injury and controversy marred season (there's not enough time to go into James Harden, Kyrie's vax status, etc), features two of the 10 best players in the league in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, each capable of taking over a game at any time. Sounds like the recipe for great playoff theater.
As the No. 2 seed, with momentum and home court on their side, the Celtics enter the series as the betting favorite. Yet interestingly enough, the Nets have the higher NBA Championship odds. We don't know when Ben Simmons could return for Brooklyn (possibly Game 3 or 4), and same goes for Robert Williams on the Celtics (possibly Game 5 or 6). One thing's for sure: it's likely to be a fascinating, competitive and grueling series, the latest chapter in one of the league's blossoming rivalries.
So, what are the experts, analysts and publications across the country saying?
ESPN analysts and experts have the Celtics knocking off the Nets by a narrow majority. Of note, Zach Lowe, Ramona Shelburne and Tim Legler have the Celtics winning, with Marc Spears tabbing the Nets to come out on top.
Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports picked the Nets...and said the Nets also win Most Dramatic team in NBA.
Nick Wright of Fox Sports says Celtics in 6.
Jay King and Jared Weiss of The Athletic both have the Celtics winning in 6.
All seven of CBS Sports' NBA experts pick the Celtics to win the series.
FiveThirtyEight says the Celtics have an 82% chance of winning (but we've all had our misgivings with 538 before).
Sports Illustrated likes the Celtics in seven.
The Sporting News predicts Celtics over Nets.
And Charles Barkley himself says no way the Nets could beat the Celtics in this series. Barkley's broadcast partner, Shaquille O'Neal, didn't include the Celtics in his "Three and a half teams" that could make it to the NBA Finals...so we'll excuse him here.
There we have it. A national majority predicting the Celtics to topple the Nets, getting revenge on their early round exit from last season, justice for Lucky the Leprechaun after Kyrie stomped on him, and Boston, last spring. The anticipation, and confidence, are there. The excitement is building. Someone's playoff hopes begin resurrecting on Easter Sunday, 3:30 p.m. with Game 1 from TD Garden in Boston.
