Tip-off: Monday, 7:35 p.m. ET
Line: Brooklyn -3.5, Total: 203.0

The Celtics and Nets continue to fight for a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs when the two teams face-off in Brooklyn Monday.

The Celtics faced the Pistons on Sunday and lost 105-97 as 6-point road favorites. Boston has now lost three straight games SU and the team has been miserable defensively, allowing 109.3 PPG in those contests. The Celtics will need to slow their opponents down or they will have little to no chance of being a part of the postseason. The Nets, however, have gotten hot lately. They won 123-111 as 8.5-point road underdogs in Indiana on Saturday and have now won four of their past five games SU. They are 3-1-1 ATS in those games and their past four have gone Over the total. These division foes have met three times this season and Boston is 2-1 both SU and ATS in those games. They last met in Brooklyn on Jan. 7 and the Celtics won 89-81 as 5-point underdogs in that game. Prior to that game, the Nets had won-and-covered in two straight games against the Celtics at Barclays Center. Boston is 11-1 ATS in road games after failing to cover in two of their past three games this season. Brooklyn, meanwhile, is 36-23 ATS revenging a same season loss versus an opponent over the past two seasons. PG Marcus Smart (Suspension Served) is probable for the Celtics, who are already without PG Isaiah Thomas (Back) and PF Jared Sullinger (Foot) either indefinitely or for the season. Brooklyn is not currently dealing with any serious injuries.

Can the Nets stay hot with a home win over the Celtics Monday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 55% ATS record (184-150-2) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 61% ATS (116-74-4) record since Feb. 1, led by StatFox Gary who has a stellar 61% ATS (34-22-1) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 58% ATS (60-44-1) this season. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 61% ATS record (39-25-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (58-46-1) for the season, and StatFox Brian has a lofty 61% ATS (20-13-1) mark in Best Bets since Feb. 4, and is now 57% ATS (59-45-1) in season Best Bets. StatFox Dave is a scorching 67% ATS (26-13) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28, while StatFox Zach is a robust 67% ATS (38-19-1) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2.

The Celtics have lost three straight games and will really be desperate for a victory in Brooklyn Monday. SG Evan Turner (9.2 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has been thrown into a much bigger role over the past two games, playing 36.0 MPG and being the team’s primary scoring option. Turner has responded with 20.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.5 RPG and 1.5 SPG in those contests. He must find a way to be as productive against a Brooklyn team he has struggled against this season. Turner is averaging just 6.3 PPG in three games against the Nets and will need to be more effective as a scorer Monday. One player who has stepped up in increased minutes is PF Jonas Jerebko (5.7 PG, 3.5 RPG). Over the past two games, Jerebko is averaging 8.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 1.0 SPG. He should be able to be a major part of this rotation as long as he continues to be active on the glass. PG Marcus Smart (7.9 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG) was averaging 13.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.5 SPG in 29.3 MPG in the four games before serving a one-game suspension for Boston. Smart is a very tough defender and also knows how to get his shots off. He’ll need to hold his own against Deron Williams on Monday. SG Avery Bradley (14.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG) could also spend some time guarding Williams in this game. Bradley is one of the better on-ball defenders in the league and could make things very tough on whichever Nets guard he covers in this one. He’s also playing very well offensively recently, averaging 15.0 PPG on 44% shooting (37% 3PT) over the past five games. SF Jae Crowder (7.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG) got hot against the Pistons last game, finishing with 19 points, seven boards, three assists, a steal and a block in 45 minutes of action. Crowder has needed to play a lot of minutes as an undersized power forward with Boston, but he’s responded well and will be an x-factor against Brooklyn.

The Nets have played extremely well as of late and C Brook Lopez (15.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG) has been dominant inside for this team. Over the past two games, Lopez is averaging 29.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG and 4.5 BPG in 36.5 MPG. The Celtics do not have big men that are great at defending the rim, so he should be able to tear it up on Monday as well. PF Thaddeus Young (14.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG) has also played very well lately, putting up 15.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 1.4 SPG in 32.8 MPG over the past five contests. Young is very quick for a power forward and should have a strength advantage over whoever mans the spot for the Celtics on Monday. He’ll need to aggressively take the ball to the rim and also rebound well in this game. SG Joe Johnson (15.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.4 APG) has been solid over the past two games, averaging 17.0 PPG. Johnson can take games off here and there and the Nets will really need him to come out firing against Boston. PG Jarrett Jack (12.4 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has done a very good job of running this offense recently, averaging 12.8 PPG, 6.2 APG and 3.8 RPG over the past five games. He’ll need to continue to score timely buckets and get his teammates the ball in the right spots moving forward. PG Deron Williams (13.0 PPG, 6.1 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has turned into the wild card for Brooklyn. He played well against Indiana, finishing with 17 points and six assists in 24 minutes of action. He is, however, also capable of putting up single-digits in scoring on any given night. He’s shooting just 37% from the field in March and he must find some sort of consistency soon.