The Brooklyn Nets (27-16) visit Capital One Arena Wednesday to take on the Washington Wizards (23-21). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nets vs. Wizards odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Nets are having to live life without MVP candidate PF Kevin Durant, and they’ve struggled to do so, going just 3-3 over their last 6 games. The Nets are coming off Monday’s 114-107 road loss to the Cavaliers.
So far this season, the Nets are 17-26 against the spread (ATS). The Wizards haven’t been much better at 19-24-1 ATS.
Washington, despite having a plus-.500 record, rank 22nd in net rating with the 21st-ranked defense. The Wizards are just 6-7 as home favorites this season. Brooklyn is 3-2 as road underdogs.
Nets at Wizards odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:16 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Wizards -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Nets +1.5 (-115) | Wizards -1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 234.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Nets at Wizards key injuries
Nets
- SG DeAndre’ Bembry (back) questionable
- PF Nic Claxton (hamstring) out
- PF Kevin Durant (knee) out
- SF Joe Harris (ankle) out
- PF Paul Millsap (personal reasons) out
Wizards
- None
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Nets at Wizards odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nets 115, Wizards 111
Money line
BET the NETS (-103).
The Nets are going to struggle without Durant as an option, but they still have PG Kyrie Irving to help supplement K.D.’s production.
The one weakness Brooklyn has is with turnovers. It ranks 17th in turnover rate. The Wizards forced the third-fewest turnovers. Their defense just isn’t aggressive and that won’t bode well against SG James Harden and company.
The Nets have both a better-ranked offense and defense.
Despite being short-handed, they still have two legit stars take the court. With SF Bruce Brown as a competent defender to potentially limit star Wizards SG Bradley Beal, I expect the Nets to come out on top in this one.
Against the spread
PASS.
Given I like the Nets with Irving active, I’d prefer the money line odds.
The Nets haven’t lost by a single point all season, so it doesn’t make much sense to back them and also go with the spread here.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 234.5 (-112).
This is just too many points, especially with Brooklyn down its top scorer. Washington doesn’t play at a particularly fast pace.
The Nets rank 6th in fast-break points per game while the Wizards allow the fewest. This should be a slow-paced game as the two teams rank 9th and 20th in pace.
Brooklyn is 20-23 O/U, and Washington is 23-20-1 O/U this season. Given the pace this game should be played and transition defense for the Wizards, I expect fewer than 235 points to be scored.
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