2 min read • April 17, 2022
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The Nets SIC Health Score - 86.1 are hoping to finally add Ben Simmons to their lineup around Game 4 but will have to start the series without much of a defensive presence.
Brooklyn is 6-4 since Kyrie Irving became a full-time player, finishing the season on a 4-game winning streak before beating the Cavaliers in the play-in game last Tuesday.
Seth Curry, meanwhile, continues to nurse a sore ankle, limiting him to 0 points on 4 field goal attempts against the Cavaliers in the Nets’ play-in win over Cleveland.
Andre Drummond is averaging 13.1 points and 11 rebounds in his last 23 games and should provide a size advantage over the slim Celtics’ front-court.
The Celtics SIC Health Score - 88.7 play their first playoff game in the Jayson Tatum era as a true favorite on Sunday but will have to do so without center Robert Williams.
Second-seeded Boston will face the Kevin-Durant-and-Kyrie-Iriving-led Nets as Williams is a little over a third of the way into his recovery from a surgery on his torn left meniscus that will likely keep him out late into the playoffs.
Otherwise, the Celtics come in with much of the same team that went 28-7 from January 23 until the end of the regular season.
Jaylen Brown has been particularly impressive lately, averaging 27.1 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the last 12 games. In the last 6 games, Brown has produced three double-doubles.
Al Horford, Daniel Theis, and Grant Williams have each picked up a portion of Williams’ leftover slack. Horford is averaging 14.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4 assists in his last 4 games, while new starter Theis is averaging 12.8 points and 6 rebounds in 5 games since becoming a starter.
Injury-Based Plays
Seth Curry U12.5 points - The Nets newcomer has been dealing with an ankle injury for the last couple weeks of season and has yet to look himself since joining Nets
Drummond O10.5 rebounds - The center has notched 11-or-more rebounds in 5 of his last 7 games and should pose a matchup advantage against Theis and Horford
Daniel Theis O5.5 rebounds - Theis has filled in well since joining back up with Celtics, better defensively than partner in crime Al Horford, Celtics will need Theis defense over Horford offense in the series
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