The Boston Celtics may have assembled the best offensive machine in the NBA this season. They played the Phoenix Suns out in the desert in what could be an NBA Finals preview, but the Suns had nothing to offer in resistance. The Celtics pushed their lead as high as 40 during the third quarter of a game that they would ultimately win, 125-98. The Celtics’ offense was the scapegoat in the Finals last year as they lost to the Golden State Warriors, and they have improved dramatically. Last year, they were in the middle of the pack as far as three-point shooting is concerned, but now they lead the league. They kept turning the ball over at crucial times last year; this year, they rank sixth in fewest turnovers. Their offensive rating right now is 119.9, the best in league history. Can they keep rolling? Don’t miss our top NBA betting picks from the coming weekend.
NBA News: Top Bets for the Weekend
→ Atlanta Hawks (+7.5) at Brooklyn Nets (O/U 229.5) (7:30 pm ET)
Atlanta (13-12) heads to Brooklyn on a two-game losing streak after getting routed by the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 113-89, on Wednesday. They have now dropped five of seven. Against the Knicks, they fell behind by 11 in the first quarter and could never really gain enough momentum to take the game back over. They got within a point with 4:41 remaining in the second quarter but gave up a 15-4 run to go into the intermission down by a dozen. They missed 30 of their 36 three-pointers and got outrebounded, 55-39. Trae Young led Atlanta with 19 points and had six assists, but it was not nearly enough. Without John Collins (ankle), the Hawks have a big hole in the middle that influences their rebounding, so the best of the team needs to contribute more inside for the Hawks to compete.
Brooklyn (14-12) comes into the game winners of five of their last six, including a 122-116 home win over Charlotte on Wednesday. They did not cover, though, as they were 10 ½-point favorites over the Hornets. The Hornets got within a point with two minutes left in regulation, but then Brooklyn finished the game on a 7-2 run. The Nets shot 57% from the floor and made 12 of 31 from distance. Kyrie Irving led the way with 33 points and nine assists. The Nets come in just 20th in the league in scoring (111.3 points per game), but they are 10th in scoring defense (110.3 points permitted per game). Having regular contributions from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will help the Nets continue to climb the East standings. Brooklyn to win and cover.
→ L.A. Lakers (+4.5) at Philadelphia 76ers (O/U 227.5) (7:30 pm ET)
The Lakers (10-14) had won five out of six before dropping their last two, falling to Cleveland and Toronto. LeBron James (ankle), Anthony Davis (flu), and Patrick Beverley (knee) are all game-time decisions, and James and Davis combine to average over 50 points per game. They will face a Philadelphia team that is second in the NBA, permitting just 107.6 points per game.
Philadelphia (12-12) is in the midst of its second three-game losing streak of the season, as they have fallen to Cleveland, Memphis and Houston. That loss to the Rockets came in double overtime, and James Harden had a tough time in his first game after an injury absence, going just 4 of 19 from the floor. He entered the game with a minutes restriction but finished having played 39. Harden had missed 14 games with a strained tendon in his right foot, and he clanked all eight of his three-point attempts. Joel Embiid had 39 points but fouled out in the first overtime, and Tobias Harris chipped in 27, but the inconsistent offense across the board once again plagued the 76ers, who are just 27th in scoring (109.0 points per game). Philadelphia to win and cover.
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