In this matchup between two teams missing their star players, the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (6-21), looking to end the longest active losing streak in the league and still being without rookie star Zion Williamson, are hosting the Brooklyn Nets (14-12), who, on the other hand, want to follow Sunday’s huge home win against the 76ers with another positive outcome.
Date/Time: 12-17-2019, 20:00 EDT
Spread: New Orleans Pelicans +2
Total: +231
New Orleans Pelicans have a 6-21 record (9-17-1 against the spread) and are sitting in the second to last place of the West. They have 12 consecutive losses and in their last game they lost at home to the Magic with a 119-130 score, not beating the odds. They are led in scoring by Brandon Ingram with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He is followed by Jrue Holiday with 19.4 points, 5 boards and a team high 6.8 assists per game.
Brooklyn Nets have a 14-12 record (14-12 against the spread) and are sitting in the 7th place of the East. In their last game, they snapped a two-game losing streak by winning at home against the Sixers with a 109-89 score, beating the odds. They are led in scoring by Kyrie Irving with 28.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and a team high 7.2 assists per game, but he is out with an injury. Spencer Dinwiddie is thriving in his absence, averaging 21 points and 6.2 assists per game.
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Nets won at home with a 135-125 score. Pelicans are 4-10 at home, while the Nets are 6-7 on the road. Pelicans are better offensively, scoring 112.8 ppg to Nets’ 111.9, while the Nets are better defensively, allowing 111.9 ppg to Pelicans’ 120.1. Both teams have a similar field goal percentage (45.1% to 44.9%), while the Pelicans have a better 3-point percentage (36.6% to 34.3%). The Nets are better in rebounding (48 to 44.1), while the Pelicans are better in assists made (25 to 24.2) and both teams commit almost the same number of turnovers per game (15.9 to 16). Bookmakers give the Nets a -2 spread and expect them to build on last win’s momentum and beat the odds for the road win today.
Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction: Brooklyn Nets -2 (-111)
