Nets vs. Hornets Predictions
The Brooklyn Nets visit the Charlotte Hornets in what should be a very entertaining game with massive playoff positioning implications on Tuesday.
Here’s a complete breakdown, including betting odds and free NBA picks.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets
Tuesday, March 08, 2022 – 07:00 PM EST at Spectrum Center
The Nets opened at -2.5 at BetOnline and this sportsbook set the total at 242.5 in their NBA odds board. Should we back the home team catching points or hammer this total?
KD is Back But…
Kevin Durant is finally back but the Nets (32-33 SU, 25-38-2 ATS) are 0-2 SU and ATS since his return. KD has done his part, averaging 34.0 points in those contests but his teammates haven’t really stepped up, particularly on defense. Brooklyn lost 126-120 in Boston, despite KD’s 37 points, eight assists and six rebounds, as they had no answer to Jayson Tatum, who carried a balanced Celtics offense.
You know what you will get from Durant and Kyrie but the Nets won’t win this game unless players like Seth Curry, Patty Mills and Cam Thomas have big games, especially Mills and Thomas, who combined for just six points off the bench against the Celtics.
The Hornets (32-33 SU, 35-28-2 ATS) have the best offense in the league, averaging 114.3 points per game and they’ve won two in a row, SU and ATS. Charlotte beat San Antonio 123-117 at home on Saturday behind 31 points from Terry Rozier and 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from LaMelo Ball.
Their bench made a big difference, with Montrezl Harrell, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Cody Martin combining for 39 points. The Nets will have a hard time keeping up with the Hornets unless their reserves come out fired up, they can’t rely on KD and Kyrie to carry them all night.
Prediction
Don’t overthink it, lead the NBA in points per game and the Nets will have KD and Kyrie and they average 110.8 points per game (12th in the league) while both teams have weak defenses. The Hornets rank 28th in the NBA, allowing 114.6 points per game while the Nets are 20th, giving up 111.8 points per game.
This is a high total but both teams play at a fast pace (they rank in the Top 11 in this category) and they’re among the 11 worst teams in defensive efficiency (giving up over 109 points per 100 possessions). Enjoy the game and find more NBA picks here.
NBA Pick: Over 242.5 (-110) at BetOnline