Celtics vs Nets Props – Best Player Prop Bets for Christmas Day Game
- The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets matchup in a marquee NBA game on Christmas Day
- Both teams are 1-0 after headline-making wins to start the season
- Which player props represent the best value?
The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets meet on Christmas Day after respective brilliant wins to start the season. A Jayson Tatum game-winner saw the Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, while the Nets blew out the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the campaign.
Brooklyn is favored by a couple of points over the Celtics, who are without Kemba Walker. The Nets put in a near-perfect performance against the Warriors with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving looking close to their best – they combined for 48 points in 50 minutes.
Check out some of the major player props in the table below.
Celtics vs Nets Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving (BKN) | 25.5 (O -118 | U -104) | 4.5 (O -142 | U +116) | 5.5 (O -150 | U +122) | 2.5 (O -140 | U +110) |
| Kevin Durant (BKN) | 25.5 (O -111 | U -108) | 5.5 (O -138 | U +112) | 4.5 (O -124 | U +102) | 2.5 (O +134 | U -172) |
| Caris LeVert (BKN) | 15.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 3.5 (O -142 | U +116) | 3.5 (O -154 | U +126) | 1.5 (O -104 | U -122) |
| Jayson Tatum (BOS) | 26.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 7.5 (O -115 | U -105) | 3.5 (O -144 | U +118) | 3.5 (O +102 | U -130) |
| Jaylen Brown (BOS) | 22.5 (O -118 | U -104) | 6.5 (O +112 | U -138) | N/A | 2.5 (O -130 | U +102) |
| Marcus Smart (BOS) | 12.5 (O -112 | U -110) | 3.5 (O -128 | U +104) | 5.5 (O +106 | U -130) | 1.5 (O -200 | U -154) |
Odds taken on Dec 24 from FanDuel
Tatum the Playmaker
Jayson Tatum’s playmaking developed significantly last season. Tatum averaged 5.5 potential assists in ’19-20, an increase from 4.3 the year before. His points per possession as the pick and roll ball handler was 1.02, a marked improvement from 0.91 in 2018-19. Such plays were run much more frequently, too, with Tatum handling it in the pick-and-roll more than twice as many times per game.
While it was a game-winner and 30-point night that caught the headlines on opening night, Tatum’s role as a playmaker is increasingly pivotal for the Celtics. With no Gordon Hayward or Kemba Walker, Boston is short on playmaking. Tatum’s responsibility to create good looks for others has increased drastically – he is a much better passer than a couple of seasons ago, and quickly reads defenses.
Picking out open shooters is an important part of any superstar’s game. Brooklyn’s defense looked fine against the Warriors, though much of that was down to poor Golden State play. Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre missed multiple open shots – the Nets’ defense is flawed, and Tatum is certainly good enough to take advantage.
TATUM IS CLUTCH 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ffj5OypQwo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 24, 2020
Brooklyn has no surefire stopper to throw at Tatum. Just as they did when Steph Curry drove on opening night, Steve Nash’s team will shrink the floor. Tatum has showcased his ability to make the right decision when he’s heading into traffic – the shooting of Jaylen Brown and Jeff Teague on Wednesday gives confidence those passes will be rewarded with assists.
He might have only got two assists against Milwaukee, and averaged three last season, but Tatum to register over 3.5 assists is a great bet. The former third overall pick had four or more assists in his last nine games of the bubble playoffs – the over would represent value even at a higher line.
Pick: Jayson Tatum over 3.5 assists (-144)
LeVert Lights Up
Caris LeVert is a frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year. The 26-year-old showed why in the season opener, scoring 20 points in 24 minutes. There was some subpar Warriors defense, and he shot under 40% from the field, but how the Nets set up with LeVert on the floor is what makes him an interesting prop bet.
To think Brooklyn has Caris LeVert and Jeff Green making plays like this for their SECOND unit is just unfair. pic.twitter.com/qfAoGOM8by
— Christopher Lavinio (@ChrisLavinio) December 23, 2020
When Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were resting, the offense was entirely centered around LeVert. It was spread pick-and-roll with LeVert handling the ball. He was in complete control of Brooklyn’s offense. The result was a 20-point outing on 17 shots with a trio of triples.
LeVert has shown in the past that he can be a brilliant volume scorer (35 points in Game 4 of their first round series with the Raptors being the most recent example). If this is how Brooklyn’s second unit will look all year, the former Michigan wing is going to put up some big numbers.
Caris LeVert off the bench tonight:
20 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK
Brooklyn’s depth just crazy 😳 pic.twitter.com/1RjgC2jRua
— Overtime (@overtime) December 23, 2020
The added bonus of coming off the bench is going up against the opponent’s backups. LeVert should have opportunity to attack Teague, Semi Ojeleye and Payton Pritchard while some of Smart, Brown and Tatum rest. He can treat Robert Williams to a barrage of hesitations and pump-fakes.
LeVert is playing a different role. It’s one he can excel in. Scoring over 15.5 is a lock.
Pick: Caris LeVert over 15.5 total points (-120)
Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
