The Washington Wizards (1-5) take on the Brooklyn Nets (3-3) Sunday at Barclays Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Wizards-Nets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Wizards at Nets: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Wizards +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Nets -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Wizards +7.5 (-110) | Nets -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 241.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Wizards at Nets: Key Injuries
Wizards
- None
Nets
- SG Spencer Dinwiddie (knee) out
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Wizards at Nets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Nets 129, Wizards 114
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE. I don’t have the bankroll to lay -350 for an outright Nets victory. I’d be fairly surprised if Brooklyn lost but not shocked and it’s not very sharp taking that big of a favorite in regular-season NBA action.
Against the spread (ATS)
Washington finally got a win its last time out by pasting the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-109 as a 1.5-point road favorite. The Wizards did most of their damage in the third quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 40-14. Washington PG Russell Westbrook was inactive in the game but the team stepped up on his absence by knocking down 55.1% of its shots and notching 35 assists to Minnesota’s 17.
The Nets split a back-to-back with the Atlanta Hawks but lost the second meeting 114-96 on New’s Year Day after an exhilarating 145-141 win a couple of nights prior. Brooklyn’s offense cratered Friday as the Nets shot only 40.7% from the field, 18.9% from 3-point range and scored just 6 fast break points.
For what it’s worth, the Wizards won last year’s season series 2-1 (2-1 ATS) with the Nets winning their final meeting 118-110 as 4-point favorites in the Orlando Bubble Aug. 2. Nets PG Kyrie Irving played in only one of those games—a 113-107 Feb. 1 loss—and obviously, SF Kevin Durant didn’t suit up for Brooklyn last year.
Neither team is living up to bookmakers’ expectations—both are 2-4 ATS—but Brooklyn’s results are a little more concerning because it feels like the Nets carry themselves like a title team when they haven’t won jack.
Here’s the thing, though: Given Durant and Westbrook’s history, KD and by extension, the Nets should give a full-fledged effort. I am not saying there’s animosity there but hoopers always want to have bragging rights over basketball buddies. That’s aside from Brooklyn having way more talent and depth compared to Washington.
GIMME NETS -7.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
The whole KD-Westbrook rivalry thing works both ways and I think we see a bevy of awesome offensive performances in Wizards-Nets. Wizards SG Bradley Beal, Westbrook, Durant and Irving are all ballers and we’re getting a little value presumptively on the Nets’ offense given the stinker they just put up in their last game.
Both teams are in the top-10 in offensive efficiency and Washington is continuing last season’s trend of playing to the Over (4-2 O/U this season). The reason for all the Overs is because the Wizards can get buckets but cannot stop anyone (28th in opponent’s points per game). It’s a huge number so I’ll lean OVER 241.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit.
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Also see:
- Irving sees scoring streak end vs. Hawks (Nets Wire)
- Rumors: Wizards | Nets
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