NBA Thursday: Mims previews and picks Celtics vs Nets on TNT with props for Jaylen Brown, Kemba and Kyrie

The Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets meet tonight in a prime time telecast. The game will start at 7:30 PM.

Injuries: Kevin Durant is out with a hamstring injury. Marcus Smart plans to play tonight after being out since Jan. 30 with a calf strain. Durant has missed the last nine games.

The Trends: Nets have won 9 of their last 10 games and have a one-game winning streak. Celtics are 6-4 over their last 10 games. Boston has won four games in a row. Nets have won 2 straight. Nets are 9-1 against the spread in the last 10 games.

The Numbers: Nets are favored by 3 and the total is 233.5. The money line for the game is Nets -145 and the Celtics +125.

The Prop Bets: Jaylen Brown under 23.5 points. Brown has scored under 23 points in his last 7 games. The streak continues. The price is -110. Kemba Walker over 4.5 assists. Walker has had 6 assists in his last 4 games. The price is +110. The return of Smart will mean sharing the ball, but I will take Kemba to go over again. Kyrie Irving over 27.5. Irving will want to drop a number on his former team. He scored 37 against them on Christmas Day. Take him over.

The Money: 77% of the wagers are on the Nets. The early money is split evenly with 50% on both teams.

The Pick: The Nets just signed Blake Griffin. This added depth. Brooklyn destroyed Boston in December 123-95. They are playing better now. Nets minus 3 and over. Celtics have averaged over 119 points in their last 4 games. Nets have scored over 120 points 22 times this season. The Nets total points for the game is 118.5. Celtics total points is set at 115.5. One of them goes over.

Enjoy the game. Follow me Twitter on and we can share halftime thoughts.