The set-up: Am I calling for an outright upset? I'm not. But I do think that the stage is set for a much more competitive war than what this spread would suggest. Boston comes in off a loss to the red hot Warriors and now face one of the league's other white hot teams in the Nets, who come to town on a six-game win streak, including a victory over the Knicks on Friday. The Celtics didn't manage a win over the Warriors and I think a letdown here is imminent after that "close call." From a situational stand point, this one definitely sets up great for the visitors in my opinion.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well though, but Brooklyn is already 9-5 ATS this year off a home win and 5-1 ATS off a win vs. a division rival, while Boston is just 18-25 ATS in its last 43 as a home favorite in the 6.5 to 12 points range. I'm grabbing the points and expecting a battle until the end.

10* play