NBA on TNT Thursday Preview: Celtics/Nets, Mavericks/Lakers

The NBA on TNT returns tonight with Inside the NBA at 6:00 PM CT. The games kick off at 7:30 PM. Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics take on Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn Nets. LeBron James and Luka Dončić will play against each other in a highly anticipated matchup of MVP candidates as the Dallas Mavericks visit the City of Angels to take care of the Los Angeles Lakers.

DraftKings Sportsbook offers a betting option on NBA on TNT Thursday.

Celtics are underdogs at Nets. Public is betting on Celtics. Pro bettors are favoring Nets, who are without Kevin Durant. Kevin is expected to miss a month with a knee injury. Kyrie Irving will be the main scorer for Brooklyn. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will try to carry the Celtics' offense. Celtics are trying to rebound after a disappointing December. Celtics recorded an offensive rating of 110.9. Nets recorded a rating 110,9 last month. The Celtics scored 58.5 PPG last December, while no other player averaged more than 11.7 Ppg.

The Celtics are going to beat the Nets. The Nets have a star disadvantage. Celtics will win. Celtics and Nets are both going for the over.

Mavs are receiving 57% of the handle on the spread and 62% on overall wagers. Lakers are getting 71% and the total is over 235.5.

Lakers are 4-1 this month and are playing at a faster pace than the other teams. Dennis Schröder has been fantastic as a second scoring option beside James. Dallas is injured and their best option is Dwight Powell, who is questionable to play. DraftKings Sportsbook’s player props for each game are available. They are easy to find an advantage against sportsbooks.

Royce O'Neale is averaging 7.3 points per game over the Nets' last three games. He's also making more shots, with 7 of 7 from 3 and 9 of 9 overall. The Celtics are 20th in PPG allowed to opposing small forwards this season. O’Neal should play 33-37 minutes in what could be a shootout.

DraftKings is betting on Dennis Schröder to come down from his recent outstanding play. Dallas is 21st in defensive rating (114.8) and allows the seventh-most shots in the short mid-range area (5th highest percentage on those shots). Schrøder has gone over 15.5 points in three of his last four games.