Caris LeVert
Photo: Brooklyn Nets

Shaquille O’Neal believes the Brooklyn Nets will advance to the second round of the playoffs.

The Nets are currently in seventh in the Eastern Conference and are yet to clinch a playoff spot. They will likely play the Bucks or Raptors in the first round if they do make the playoffs but Shaq believes in them.

Being a lower seed won’t act as a disadvantage with no fans allowed at games but the Nets will be without many key players. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Nicolas Claxton are out with injuries. Spencer Dinwiddie, Deandre Jordan and Taurean Prince are out because of coronavirus. In addition, Wilson Chandler opted out of returning this season.

Brooklyn will be massive underdogs but that will only make O’Neal’s prediction more impressive if the Nets make it to the second round.