Despite Losing 4 Straight Bettors Favor Nets at Home Against Bobcats
Team Page: Charlotte :: New Jersey
77% of Bets Placed on New Jersey -7 | Matchup | NBA Picks
Following a tough four-game road trip, a home matchup with the lowly Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night may be just what the New Jersey Nets need to snap out of their longest losing streak in two years.
The Nets (5-8) have lost five straight, including all four on their recent road trip. It’s their longest skid since dropping nine in a row from Nov. 10-28, 2004.
Oddsmakers have made New Jersey -7 point spread favorites (NBA Odds) for todays game, the over/under has been set at 187.5 total points (View NBA Sports Books).
“A lot of us have been through a lot of streaks, so for the young guys, maybe it can wear on them,” point guard Jason Kidd said. “But we’re a veteran ballclub. We’ve lost five in a row, we’ve got to find a way to turn it around.”
Kidd had 16 assists Sunday, but New Jersey fell 99-93 to the Los Angeles Lakers. Vince Carter led New Jersey with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Nenad Krstic scored 20 points.
The Nets led 48-43 at halftime, but the Lakers outscored them 30-18 in the third quarter. New Jersey rallied, drawing within two on a basket by Krstic late in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers went on a 7-1 run to make it 95-87 with 3 1/2 minutes to play.
New Jersey, which has won the Atlantic Division in four of the last five seasons, is hoping to get back to .500 during what should be an easier stretch of games than the trip through the Western Conference. Following Tuesday’s contest against the Bobcats, the Nets take on Boston and Philadelphia, both 5-8 and tied with New Jersey atop the weak Atlantic.
Saturday’s matchup with the 76ers also begins a six-game homestand for the Nets. New Jersey is 3-3 at home.
“As fast as you can lose five in a row, you can win, you know, 15,” Kidd said, “so we just have to stay together.”
Kidd has been held under 10 points the last four games. He’s averaging 10.9 points in seven games against the Bobcats – six of which were wins. That’s his lowest points-per-game average against any team, although the seven games are the fewest times he’s faced an opponent.
Charlotte (3-10) lost 102-93 to Miami on Saturday, its fourth loss in the last five contests. Adam Morrison tied a season high with 27 points and Gerald Wallace added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bobcats tied the game midway through the third quarter, but trailed by six heading into the fourth.
Morrison was 9-of-20, one of his better shooting games of the season, helping the rookie improve his 39.4 field-goal percentage.
“I know I can play in this league,” he said. “I know I can succeed in this league if I do it the right way. Once the shots start falling, I’ll feel a lot more comfortable offensively. But I know I belong out there.”
On Monday, Charlotte waived guard Alan Anderson, giving the team an open roster spot. The Bobcats are looking for another point guard to lessen the load on Raymond Felton and Brevin Knight, both of whom are averaging more than 36 minutes per game and are combining for 26.0 points a contest.
Anderson appeared in six of 13 games this season and averaged 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds.
The Bobcats are 1-5 on the road. Their only win in eight games against the Nets was a 91-83 road victory Dec. 14, 2005.
By: Marc Young – theSpread.com – Email Us
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