Sean Murphy
My selection is on Boston minus the points over Brooklyn at 3:30 pm et on Sunday.
While this series is likely to be a battle from start to finish, I like the Celtics to defend their home floor on Sunday. Most are expecting the Nets to 'flip the switch' in the playoffs after an uneven regular season. They have reeled off five consecutive victories heading into this series but didn't cover the spread in either of their last two games.
While their shooting certainly picked up down the stretch, they also allowed their last three opponents to knock down 40, 47 and 41 field goals. Their last two opponents managed to get off 104 and 92 field goal attempts. Should they play Sunday's game that loose, the Celtics will take full advantage, noting that Boston has been on an absolute tear, making good on 45, 56, 43, 43 and 54 field goals over its last five contests. Boston has also held three of its last four opponents to fewer than 40 made field goals. Take Boston.