The Brooklyn Nets will head down to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans for the second and final time this season. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nets-Pelicans prediction and pick.
Brooklyn took the first meeting by a commanding 28 points just two weeks ago. The Nets will look to bounce back after a tough two-point loss against the Heat on Sunday. New Orleans suffered an overtime loss against the Knicks in their last game and have lost three straight coming in.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Nets-Pelicans odds.
NBA Odds: Nets-Pelicans Odds
Brooklyn Nets +3 (-114)
New Orleans Pelicans -3 (-106)
Over 232.5 Points (-110)
Under 232.5 Points (-110)
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
There is no question that the Brooklyn Nets are one of the more talented teams in the league. The one thing that Brooklyn has struggled with all season long is sustainable health. Kevin Durant has dealt with bad luck time and time again and will now be out yet again with a bruised thigh. Kyrie will have little support with KD and James Harden out of action for this matchup. It will be so important for this team to get healthy and climb the standings down the stretch.
Brooklyn will need guys like Jeff Green, Nicolas Claxton, and DeAndre Jordan to elevate their play with added minutes. The Nets have seen some respectable contributions from role players like Landry Shamet and Joe Harris, but can’t rely on double-digit performances from those guys in winning efforts regularly. The Nets will have to rally around each other against a Pelicans team that they’ve covered in five straight games against.
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
Although New Orleans has been an underwhelming team this far, they are still just three games back of a play-in spot. The Pelicans are currently on a three game losing streak and have to figure something out to compile some wins down the stretch. The schedule provides New Orleans with many opportunities to climb the standings, but wins in games like this will be crucial. New Orleans is coming off of a tough loss against New York in their last game and will look to get the offense going against a far less superior defensive team in Brooklyn.
One of the few consistent bright spots for this team has been the consistent success of Zion Williamson. Zion went for 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals in the loss against New York. Zion and Brandon Ingram will hope to bring a spark to this team that a depleted Brooklyn group will have trouble matching. The Pelicans certainly have the health advantage in this matchup and home court advantage has to provide this unit with some added confidence in a vital game.
Final Nets-Pelicans Prediction & Pick
Betting against Brooklyn hasn’t been very profitable this season, but I’m confident that New Orleans will have the edge in this matchup. Health will play a huge factor and New Orleans will honestly have more star power on the floor in this game. Zion has been electrifying and if DeAndre can’t keep control of the paint, this game could get ugly. The Nets have been a resilient group, but the Pelicans are desperate and have to smell blood in this one.
FINAL NETS-PELICANS PICK: New Orleans Pelicans -3 (-106)
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