The NBA continues on Sunday afternoon as the Denver Nuggets host the struggling Brooklyn Nets. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Nets-Nuggets prediction and pick.
Click here to Bet $5, Win $280 on either team in Super Bowl 56 (56-1 Odds)
*To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit, and then simply place their first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook on any NFL team playing in the NFL Super Bowl to win their matchup. All winning bets will be fulfilled within 72 hours if they win.*
The Brooklyn Nets are on a seven-game losing streak after falling to the Utah Jazz last time out in a blowout. They are still (29-23) on the season which is good for 6th in the Eastern Conference. The Denver Nuggets are (28-24) which is good for 6th in the West. The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Nuggets 113-105 last time out and as a result, are on their own three-game losing streak. Denver beat Brooklyn 124-118 last time they met in late January.
Here are the Nets-Nuggets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Nets-Nuggets Odds
Brooklyn Nets: +6.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets: -6.5 (-110)
Over: 228.5 (-110)
Under: 228.5 (-110)
*Watch NBA Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Nets need to really figure things out. Without Kevin Durant, it's clearly very difficult for them to win games. He was the NBA's leading scorer before his injury and the Nets are hurting without his presence. Kyrie Irving and James Harden are more than capable of leading this team but they will not do so if they keep playing the way they are. Everything the Nets do relies on those two to carry them. If either Irving or Harden is off in this game, then the Nuggets should take advantage of that.
On the defensive end, the Nets need to try and contain Nikola Jokic. That is almost an impossible task as he is close to a triple-double every game. Brooklyn is allowing 116.8 points per game in their last 10 while going (2-8) in that span. The Nuggets are averaging 117.5 points per game so that is not a great sign for Brooklyn at all. IF the Nets want to cover this spread, their defensive efforts must improve.
Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
Denver is in a great position to cover this spread at home. Because it's in Denver, Irving will be allowed to play and he should be motivated to lead the Nets to a victory. The Nuggets must contain him and not allow him to catch fire. Once Irving and Harden are on their game, they are impossible to stop. Aaron Gordon is questionable for this game with a hamstring injury, the Nuggets could really use him against the Nets here as he creates a mismatch for the Nuggets offense. The 6-foot-8 dunking god is averaging 14.5 points per game and 5.6 rebounds on the season. Without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. for the rest of the season, it will be on Gordon to be the guy that takes the load off of Jokic. If he can step his game up a little, then the Nuggets will be staying on course. He missed the last two games but could return today against the Nets.
Final Nets-Nuggets Prediction & Pick
Both of these teams need a win badly. I think the Nuggets are going to win this game but I am taking the Nets to cover this spread. At this rate, Denver would have to win by seven to cover and I think Brooklyn keeps this close. Take the Nets.
Final Nets-Nuggets Prediction & Pick: Nets +6.5 (-110)