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Will Kevin Durant Play Tonight? Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics Game 3: Prediction, Injuries, & Lineups

Published 05/27/2021, 5:30 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

If given a chance, both Celtics and Wizards would probably like to swap places and instead face Sixers and Brooklyn Nets, respectively. Although that might not make any difference, they’d at least like to explore because they’re facing utmost misery in the current scenario. Both the sides are 0-2 and none of their games have been close.

On May 28, Game 3 between the Celtics and the Nets will air at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. This time around, the Nets will be on the road, facing the C’s inside TD Garden. Which side has better odds at taking this important game?

Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics: Injury updates and lineup prediction

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USA Today via Reuters

The Celtics have listed their star forward Jayson Tatum as a day-to-day decision after Kevin Durant mistakenly poked his eye in Game 2. The 23-YO had swelling in his eyes, and he could not come back because the lights in the arena were too loud for him to rejoin in the dying minutes.

Still, the chances are high that he’ll show up. Then, they have guard Jaylen Brown who is out of the season after his wrist injury.

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Probable starting five: Evan Fournier (F), Jayson Tatum (F), Tristan Thompson (C), Marcus Smart (G), and Kemba Walker (G)

For the Nets, apart from Spencer Dinwiddie (ACL tear) who is out for the season, only Jeff Green is the addition. The power forward bruised his left foot during Q2 (Game 2) and did not return to the game. 

Potential starting lineup – Kevin Durant (F), Joe Harris (F), Blake Griffin (C), Kyrie Irving (G), and James Harden (G)

WATCH: Knicks Fans Chant For Brooklyn Nets Following Game 2 Win Over Atlanta Hawks

Who wins? 

The deadly trio of Brooklyn Nets has played 10/74 games together in the running season. Yet, their on-court chemistry seems as if they have been playing together for ages.

It was not surprising that they won both their home games at Barclays Center because they were 29-8 at the stadium during the regular season. Still, it was surprising to see how Blake Griffin has regained his old form and getting scarier against the C’s.

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Plus, they have another weapon in Joe Harris who is a catch-and-shoot specialist who does it the James Harden way when The Beard is busy playmaking.

For the C’s, it is almost impossible for them to match the offense of the Nets in the absence of Jaylen Brown. The only thing that can save them is their defense, but that too will require their A+ effort.

They don’t have the old trio of AI Horford, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley any more. Hence, they’ll need Tristan Thompson, Robert Williams, and Smart to give their everything.

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Also, in this game, the Greens will have Boston’s crazy crowd support and perhaps a Kyrie Irving playing under tremendous pressure. So, it can be an addition if they can use this to their advantage.

Still, we predict a Nets win and an extension of their lead to a 3-0.

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Written by:

Sourabh Singh

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Sourabh Singh is an NBA sports analyst for EssentiallySports, who has been working with the site since May 2020. Prior to this, he functioned as Managing Editor at WittyFeed, followed by a stint at Decathlon. The Sports Management graduate leads an active lifestyle, veering to the mountains for off-trail adventures.
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