This spread was around Nets -5.5 when Kevin Durant was a possibility of playing. He will not, but Boston is in the second of a B2B, 1-7 ATS in its past eight in that scenario and without Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Robert Williams -- three starters. Lay the points.

The Nets won't have Kevin Durant tonight, but it's still a statement game. These are the big, bad Nets and the Eastern Conference is theirs. I believe that the Celtics are pretenders in the Eastern Conference. They are on the second half of a back to back after knocking off a Suns team that couldn't make a shot. Now they travel to Brooklyn where the Nets are waiting for them? Look out. Lay the points.

We backed Boston to upset the visiting Suns on Thursday because Phoenix was in the second of a back-to-back -- and that's why we will go with Brooklyn here. The Celtics played without Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams on Thursday and neither will go here. Plus, Kemba Walker will sit out because he has yet to play both ends of a B2B this season. Kevin Durant might return for Brooklyn, but I like the Nets regardless.