With New York sports betting into its fourth month of live operation, bettors in the Empire State will have their first-ever local offering of the NBA Playoffs starting Easter Sunday. That’s when the seventh-seeded Brooklyn Nets begin a best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series with division rival and second-seeded Boston (ABC, 3:30 p.m.).
Entering the series, the Nets have dropped three in a row to the Celtics — by six, 23 and 35 points, after a 123-104 victory at Boston on Nov. 24, 2021.
But how have the Nets fared for fans and NBA bettors wagering wise during the 2021-22 regular season?
It looks like they will put all of their eggs in one basket.
Overall against the spread this season, the Nets have posted a lackluster 32-47-4 record, according to DraftKings Sportsbook New York.
At home, you can fuhgeddaboudit!
Home Sour Home?
At the Barclays Center, the Nets are — get this — a dismal 9-32-1.
Here is where the Nets’ hopes potentially improve for bettors: Brooklyn has a 23-15-3 road record against the spread. That could be a good sign since the Nets will have two games to start in Beantown and four at TD Bank Center if it goes to a seventh game.
PointsBet New York, one of the eight current mobile providers in New York, has provided even more granular data for Brooklyn.
In five betting categories, the Nets are over 50% in cover percentage:- As Away Underdog: 10-6-1 (62.5%)
- As Away Team: 23-17-1 (57.5%)
- As Away Favorite: 13-10 (56.5%)
- As Underdog: 14-11-1 (56%)
- Division Games: 8-7-1 (53.3%)
In 18 separate categories (excluding the above), here are some of the doomsday and interesting numbers from PointsBet that stand out for the Nets as they enter the post-season:
Against Eastern Conference opponents, the Nets are a disappointing 22-29-2 (43.1%).
The numbers show Brooklyn does not handle success after a win, posting a 16-28 record (36.4%), which gives credence that the series could go to a deciding seventh game in Boston.
As an overall favorite, the Nets are an eye-opening 18-37-1 (32.7%). However, as a home favorite, where you would think the Nets have some kind of an advantage: 5-27-1.
Hit the road, Brooklyn!
Closer Look at Nets-Celtics
We broke down the matchup between the Nets and Celtics yesterday on EmpireStakes.com. Here are some updated betting numbers.
PointsBet has the Celtics as a -134 favorite to win the series, with the Nets a +110 underdog.
The Celtics have crept up to a +800 to win the NBA title, behind only the Phoenix Suns (+250) and the Milwaukee Bucks (+450). You will recall those two teams met in the finals last year, with Milwaukee emerging as the champions.
For Sunday’s Game 1, the Celtics are 4.5-point and -180 moneyline favorites. The Nets are +150 underdogs and the points over/under is 224.
