Nets vs. Celtics: The best player prop bets for Game 3

The Brooklyn Nets have taken a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Boston Celtics and are installed as decisive 7.5 point favorites in Game 3 despite the game taking place in Boston.

While things look bleak for the series outcome, there are plenty of player props available to keep this evening's game interesting. Let’s take a look at three of the best props for Friday's matchup.

Kyrie Irving Points Over/Under 24.5 points 

Kyrie Irving will be making a trip back to Boston where he played for two seasons before departing to Brooklyn. While his soundbites will undoubtedly make it sound as though this means nothing to Irving, it certainly won’t hurt his motivation.

Irving averaged 26.9 points per game in the regular season, and perhaps more notably with both Kevin Durant and James Harden back in the lineup, he hit 40% of his 3-point attempts. Harden and Durant open the floor for teammates as well as any other players in the league, and Irving is sure to be a beneficiary in Game 3.

Irving scored 29 points in Game 1, and just 15 in Game 2, but he really wasn’t needed in the second game. Home teams down 0-2 traditionally give their best effort in the third game of the series, so with a closer game looming Irving may get more than the 28 minutes he played in the second matchup. The seven-time All-Star will continue to get plenty of open looks, he just needs to knock them down.

Pick: Over 24.5 points (-113)

Blake Griffin Rebounds Under

Blake Griffin is enjoying a resurgence in Brooklyn, but he's not nearly as athletic as he was earlier in his career with the Clippers, and it shows in his rebounding totals. The former Slam Dunk champ is averaging just 3.6 boards per game with the Nets.

Two things are needed for a player to accrue a high rebounding total: 1) He has to have a natural competency and desire for it, and 2) He needs to have opportunities. Griffin will likely play no more than 20 minutes tonight, and the Nets make a lot of shots.

Griffin is in Brooklyn to provide a veteran presence and inside scoring, but don’t look for him to go to work on the glass.

Pick: Under 3.5 rebounds (-148)

Marcus Smart Over/Under 13.5 points

Marcus Smart is a competitor to his core. With Jayson Tatum likely to play through an eye injury, and Kemba Walker listed as questionable due to a knee bruise, look for the Celtics' emotional leader to do his best to put the team on his back.

Smart spent his college days leading Texas Tech in scoring, and he isn’t a shy shooter. With Tatum and Walker questionable, Jaylen Brown out, Evan Fournier fairly new to the team, and Robert Williams struggling with a lingering toe injury, there aren’t a lot of great choices for the Celtics. Smart should hit this Over simply by default.

Pick: Over 13.5 points (-124)