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The NBA regular season continues with games on Monday. The Brooklyn Nets will hit the road and face off against the Portland Trail Blazers. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nets-Blazers prediction and pick.
These two teams have had very different starts to the season. The Brooklyn Nets are 25-13 and are coming off a narrow overtime victory. While the Portland Trail Blazers are only 15-24, they are also coming off a very solid win. This should be an interesting match up between two different caliber teams.
Here are the Nets-Blazers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Nets-Blazers Odds
Brooklyn Nets: -9 (-110)
Portland Trail Blazers: +9 (-110)
Over: 228 (-110)
Under: 228 (-110)
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Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Brooklyn Nets have had a very solid first half of the season. While it has been complicated due to COVID and injuries, they have managed to find success all things considered. Through their first 38 games they have managed to win 25 and lose only 13. Their most recent win came against the San Antonio Spurs in overtime by two. While the Nets should have won that game by more, a wins a win. Brooklyn will look to extend their win streak to two on Monday as they face a vulnerable Blazers team. This is a very winnable game for the Nets, if they show up ready then they should be able to take care of business.
It was somewhat surprising that the Nets-Spurs game went to overtime. Much like Monday's matchup, that game looked somewhat lopsided. But give credit where credit is due, the Spurs gave the Nets a run for their money. Brooklyn had a tough time stifling the offensive onslaught from San Antonio. The Spurs took 107 shots in that game while the Nets took only 98. Brooklyn's main struggles came from beyond the arc. They only took 28 threes and they only made 8. This lack of three point scoring resulted in San Antonio taking the Nets to overtime. If Brooklyn wants to dominate on Monday they need to make and take more threes.
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While this Nets team had been crippled with injuries and COVID, they are nearly at full health. Kyrie Irving will also play in this one. Currently there are only two players on the Nets injury report. Lamarcus Aldridge is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for Monday's match, while Joe Harris remains out after receiving ankle surgery. What this means is that the Nets should be able to dominate. They have the talent, they have the skill, and now that they're healthy they should be able to make a run. Expect the Nets to come out firing on Monday.
Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread
The Portland Trail Blazers have had a very disappointing first half of the season. Through their first 39 games they have only managed to win 15 and have amassed 24 losses. While they have struggled with COVID and injuries, like every other team, they were struggling before as well. Portland has just not been able to find a groove this season. They did manage, surprisingly, to defeat the Sacramento Kings by 15 in their last game. They will need to mimic that impressive performance on Monday if they want to compete with the Nets.
In their win over the Kings the Blazers were impressive. Without CJ McCollum and without Dame Lillard the Blazers managed to topple Sacramento. Behind Anfernee Simmons 31 points, Portland was in control the entire game. A huge leadership vacuum is created when both CJ and Dame aren't on the floor. Simmons stepped up and filled that void, but the question is who will play that role on Monday? This was one of the first games without their stars that someone adequately stepped up and carried Portland to a solid win. If another player can do the same on Monday, then the Blazers have a shot at pulling off this upset.
From a quantity perspective, the Blazers are hardly the team most affected by COVID and injuries. Portland only has four players listed on their injury report. However, from a quality perspective, they are near the top of the league. Portland remains without CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, by far their two best players. Additionally, Norman Powell and Larry Nance Jr., two quality contributors, are out with injuries. The heart and soul of this Blazers team is still missing. Portland needs someone to step up and take on the leadership role.
Final Nets-Blazers Prediction & Pick
It's very difficult to bet on Portland without CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. Those two guys are Portland, and without them the Blazers are not the same. Yet, Portland managed to take down Sacramento in dominant fashion. Still, without those two guys betting on Portland is a bad bet. The Nets may be struggling, but they are still Brooklyn and they can still dominate. Pick the Nets to win and cover.
FINAL NETS-BLAZERS PICK: Brooklyn Nets -9 (-110)
FINAL NETS-BLAZERS SCORE PREDICTION: Nets 124 – Blazers 102
