Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets: X-factors, key matchups, and a prediction

Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant Kyrie Irving (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant Kyrie Irving (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
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Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets James Harden and Kevin Durant (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Celtics vs. Nets: Prediction

Though Brad Stevens’ teams have underachieved two of the past three years, he remains a proven, good coach facing a rookie head coach (albeit one with possibly the most decorated bench of assistant coaches in league history).

Close games could go either way. That being said, I think the Nets blow the doors off the Celtics at least twice in this series.

If even two of Brooklyn’s big three can play 35-plus minutes every game and the third plays in-between “load management” games off, Boston shouldn’t be a tremendous “load” for Brooklyn to manage.

My prediction is Brooklyn Nets in 5, with 6 games being more likely than 4, and 7 or a Celtics’ series win almost inconceivable.

Prediction: Nets in 5