The Nets have lost eight of their last nine contests. Here's where to watch the game against Boston plus the betting line.
The Brooklyn Nets enter on a three-game slide -- and hearing roster blowup possibilities.
Could the Boston Celtics possibly poach a Nets player or two?
Nic Claxton is one name rising as a trade contender. Same with Michael Porter Jr. Though it's not fully revealed if Boston will become major players in the trade market.
Meanwhile, fans aiming to tune in can watch via the YES Network in the New York region. Celtics fans can catch the action on NBC Sports Boston. NBA League Pass is one more avenue for fans who don't have access for YES and NBC Sports Boston.
Fernie Ruano is now here for the betting preview:
So, what’s the reward for the Nets (12-30, 13th in the Eastern Conference) - on a Friday night, no less - in front of the home crowd after getting blown out by 54 points by their ‘crosstown rivals’ and falling, believe it or not, deeper and deeper into draft lottery heaven ?
A visit by the current No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference that is not only just 5.5 games back from top spot with three and a half months of regular season basketball left to play, but 14-8 on the road, including 5-2 in their last seven games away from home and a 119-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers just two nights ago.
And, the Nets (+8, -110), as per usual, are currently a significant home underdog vs. the Boston Celtics (27-16) on Friday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Brooklyn, 6-16 at home this season and coming off an embarrassing 120-66 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night which dropped their overall record in January to 2-10, is +300 on the moneyline.
The over/under for the 7:30 p.m. (ET) tipoff is 217.5 points, as per DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Nets, 2-3 in their last five home games, which includes a three-point victory over the Chicago Bulls a week ago today, are apparently content with the idea of stocking up, perhaps, on a number of generational basketball players — starting with the 2026 NBA Draft.
Brooklyn, on a three-game losing streak, was literally run off the floor by the Knicks from the start last time out, despite needing a strong effort to calm the growing restlessness in the borough, trailed New York by 18 points after the first quarter.
The Nets, who shot 33% from the floor in the first half and committed seven turnovers, trailed by 22 at halftime, and their total amount of points for the entire game was the eighth fewest in a single game in franchise history.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, forward Michael Porter Jr., averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in was is turning out to be a career-season for the 6’10” sharpshooting wingman, who is reportedly drawing serious interest from several teams as the NBA trade deadline approaches, was held to 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the floor.
The Nets, 9-18 vs. Eastern Conference opponents, are 19-20-3 against the spread this season, including 10-11-1 at home.
Boston, 3-2 in its last five games, is finishing up a mini two-game road trip before heading back home, is led by Jaylen Brown, coming off a 30-point performance vs. the Pacers and averaging 29.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Noah Clowney is averaging 13.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Nets.
The season series between both teams is tied 1-1, with the Nets defeating the Celtics 113-105 - behind 33 points from Porter Jr. - on Nov. 22.
Haywood Highsmith (knee) is out for the game.
The Celtics Josh Minott (ankle), Max Shulga (G League), and Amari Williams (G League) are also listed as out.
Celtics vs. Nets betting analysis: The Nets, who look like a totally different team right now as opposed to December, when most of their outfit was actually making an effort to play defense, in addition to their bigs hitting the glass, have just about made their true feels known for the 2026 NBA Draft.
And we’re still in January. Brooklyn, 2-10 this month, never mind coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history in which their effort left plenty to be desired, allowed the Knicks, who had failed to score 99 points or more in three of their previous five home games before Wednesday night, to put the ball in the basket in just about every which way.
However, the Celtics, playing their third game in five days in this spot, tend to play a lot close games against inferior competition. And the Nets, for as invested as they are in the draft four and a half months from now, need a solid showing — in front of their home crowd — in the worst way possible.