Jayson Tatum scored 28 points against the Heat to continue a surge in which he has averaged 32.1 points over his last seven games.
Jayson Tatum scored 28 points against the Heat to continue a surge in which he has averaged 32.1 points over his last seven games.Rich Storry/Getty
The Boston Celtics knew they were headed to the playoffs, and now it’s official for the defending champions.
One night after becoming the third Eastern Conference team to clinch a postseason berth, the Celtics hope to continue to trend upward on Saturday evening when they visit the Nets.
The Celtics (48-19) clinched their latest playoff berth with a 103-91 win over Miami on Friday.
Boston was without Jaylen Brown Friday due to a nagging knee injury. Brown has missed 13 games with various ailments, is 39-for-98 from the field over his past five games, and may be out again Saturday.
Jrue Holiday helped compensate for Brown’s absence by scoring a season-high 25 points. He hit a season-best five 3-pointers and is coming off his fourth game with at least 20 points after dealing with a recent finger injury.
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) also remains out.
The Nets (22-44) will attempt to slow the Celtics after losing nine of their previous 10 games.
Here’s your preview.
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV, radio: NBCSB, WROR-FM 105.7
Line: Boston -10.5. O/U: 215.5.
CELTICS
Season record: 48-19. vs. spread: 31-36. Over/under: 30-36, 1 push
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 4-6
NETS
Season record: 22-44. vs. spread: 34-31, 1 push. Over/under: 28-38
Last 10 games: 1-9. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 5-5
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 116.6, Brooklyn 105.3
Points allowed per game: Boston 108.1, Brooklyn 111.6
Field goal percentage: Boston .461, Brooklyn .439
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .453, Brooklyn .478
3-point percentage: Boston .370, Brooklyn .344
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .348, Brooklyn .367
Stat of the day: The Celtics are 12-1 in the past 13 regular-season meetings against the Nets after earning two wins in a span of six days in November. Nine of their victories in this run over the Nets are by double digits.
Notes: Boston is 6-1 over its past seven games. ... Jayson Tatum scored 28 points against the Heat to continue a surge in which he has averaged 32.1 points over his last seven games. ... The Celtics rallied for a 108-104 overtime home victory on Nov. 8 in the first meeting this season. After sitting out that game, Brown scored 24 in Brooklyn in the next meeting. Tatum scored 20 of his 36 in the second half of Nov. 13, when the Celtics outscored the Nets 107-80 over the final three quarters. ... Brooklyn’s past four losses — against the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets and Golden State Warriors — are by a combined 16 points due to struggles in the second half. In those games, the Nets were outscored 241-189 while committing 66 fouls, resulting in 64 free throws.
Emma can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com or on X @_EmmaHealy_.