The Celtics are undefeated (3-0) against the Nets this year, but I think they'll fall short in Game 1 on Sunday. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving didn't play in either of the first two Boston-Brooklyn pairings of the season and the Nets fell short by six in the third matchup of the season. Both of them are healthy now and the home team will be missing a key defensive piece in Robert Williams. Boston's weakened rim protection and switchability will help Brooklyn pull off an upset.

I've honestly gone back and forth on this one between Celtics ML and Nets plus the points. Getting the hook on 4 was the decider. Some books are sitting at 4. I tend to think Boston does win but close. A week off for the C's, too. If Robert Williams were healthy, I'd for sure take Boston. But he's out.

All four meetings between the Nets and Celtics this season went Over the total, with the March 6 meeting being the perfect example of how today’s game may go. That was a 126-120 win by Boston, even though Brooklyn shot 51 percent from the floor and Kevin Durant scored 37 points. Jayson Tatum dropped 54 points for the Celtics, who won the last three meetings. Despite the fact Boston owned the league's No. 1 defense during the regular season, this game should get Over the total again.