The Washington Wizards (4-4) welcome the Brooklyn Nets (2-6) to Capital One Arena Friday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nets vs. Wizards odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Nets have struggled this season and with G Kyrie Irving suspended at least the next 5 games things may get even uglier. Irving averaged 26.9 points per game for Brooklyn.
G Joe Harris will likely take his place in the starting lineup. The Nets have lost 5 of their last 6 games including a 108-99 defeat on the road against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
The Wizards, who started out 3-1, have struggled recently and have lost 3 of their last 4. They did win their last game, 121-111 over Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Washington has been led in scoring by G Bradley Beal, who is averaging 21.8 points per game. He has finally gotten some help in the form of F Kristaps Porzingis and F Kyle Kuzma. They have combined to average another 38.3 points per game.
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Nets at Wizards odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nets +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Wizards -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nets +3.5 (-115) | Wizards -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nets at Wizards key injuries
Nets
- G Seth Curry (ankle) questionable
- G Kyrie Irving (suspension) out
- G Ben Simmons (knee) out
Wizards
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nets at Wizards picks and predictions
Prediction
Wizards 114, Nets 106
Moneyline
PASS.
I don’t see how the Nets are going to keep pace offensively, unless former MVP F Kevin Durant goes for 50.
Even then, I think the Wizards come out on top at home as they simply have more firepower. At -150, I would still prefer to play the spread.
Against the spread
BET WIZARDS -3.5 (-105).
Irving is out, and replacing that production is not going to be easy. Besides Durant and Irving, no player on the Nets team is averaging over 12 points.
The Wizards have a diverse set of scorers and have far more firepower offensively. The Nets also have the worst defensive rating in the NBA and have a -6.7 net rating while the Wizards sit 16th in net rating at -0.8.
The Nets rank in the bottom half of the league in turnover rate and offensive rebounding rate. This could get ugly for Brooklyn.
It is a league-worst 1-7 ATS and is 1 of 4 teams that have yet to cover on the road. Back Washington to get the job done at home and win by more than a triple.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 224.5 (-110).
Both teams are 4-4 O/U this season, and for a Nets team without Irving, they’re going to have to make me a believer. He was a huge part of this team’s offensive success.
Instantly replacing 24% of your production is not easy, and while G Joe Harris could do it, I would rather back F Royce O’Neal and company being able to limit what F Kyle Kuzma and Beal do.
Both teams also rank in the bottom 10 in pace, so expect a slow game on Friday evening.
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