Tag: Brooklyn Nets

3 reasons the Thunder would be a tough opponent in the playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder will not be an easy team to beat, assuming they make the playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder have not stopped proving people wrong.

Coming into the season, they were considered to be a lottery team, with former franchise cornerstone Russell Westbrook traded to the Houston Rockets. But the Thunder, led by a three-guard trio of Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have shown otherwise.

With their win Sunday against the Boston Celtics, the Thunder extended their win streak to three games and moved into the Western Conference’s fifth seed.

The Thunder have 18 games left in the regular season, and while they haven’t officially clinched a playoff spot, their performances make them potential spoilers for higher-seeded teams in the postseason.

Chris Paul isn’t done being a top-tier point guard yet

Paul, 34, is playing his 15th NBA season, and after a down year last season with the Rockets, questions emerged of how much time he had left in his career.

With the performances he’s had this season, Paul has shown he has more to give than most people thought. Sunday night’s game against the Celtics was simply another example of Paul’s resurgence. He scored a game-high 28 points, dished a team-high seven assists and grabbed six rebounds.

It was the 22nd time this season Paul scored 20 or more points; last season Paul had 18 such games.

Paul was an All-Star for the first time since the 2015-16 season, his second-to-last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has been instrumental in OKC’s success, using his veteran leadership to help close games.

According to NBA.com stats, the Thunder and Brooklyn Nets are tied for first in points scored in the last five minutes, while there also being a five-point difference or less. Both teams are averaging 10.6 points in that span, and Paul averages 3.4 points within the last five minutes of games.

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Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds, picks and best bets

The Chicago Bulls (21-42) and Brooklyn Nets (28-34) will do battle at Barclays Center at 3 p.m. ET Sunday to kick off the day’s NBA slate. We analyze the Bulls-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Bulls at Nets: Key injuries

Bulls

  • PG Ryan Arcidiacono (Achilles) questionable
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
  • SF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) out
  • PG Zach LaVine (quadriceps) questionable
  • PF Luke Kornet (ankle) out
  • PG Max Strus (knee) out

Nets

  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SG Garrett Temple (knee) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Bulls at Nets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:35 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 118, Bulls 109

Moneyline (ML)

The Nets (-239) are a bit too expensive on the moneyline. While they’re fully expected to win, you can’t risk so much for such little return. AVOID, and look to the spread.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The NETS (-6.5, even) have dominated this series, covering seven of the past nine meetings against the Bulls (+6.5, -121). Look for the good times to continue to roll for Brooklyn. They steamrolled San Antonio by a 139-120 count last time out, and they have covered three of the past four overall. The Nets hammered the Bulls 133-118 in this building on Jan. 31, covering a 5 1/2-point number, too.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 221.5 (even) is worth a small-unit play, although it might not be until the final ticks before it limps across the finish line. The over is 4-1 in Brooklyn’s past five outings, and the over has hit in each of the past five meetings in this series, including the past four battles at Barclays Center.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Caris LeVert said Kenny Atkinson was respected in Nets locker room

Caris LeVert had a good and close relationship with former Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson

With Kenny Atkinson and the Brooklyn Nets parting ways, the aftermath of the news has produced murmurs of how the team viewed him.

Nets guard Caris LeVert gave his opinion on the subject Saturday and spoke to media. Per the Nets’ Twitter account, LeVert said he felt Atkinson was respected in the locker room.

“I feel like everybody had a lot of respect for him,” LeVert said. “Obviously he coached guys at different levels, too. I think he was with Wilson (Chandler), different level of his career. Myself, Joe (Harris) and Spencer (Dinwiddie), relationship for four years. So everyone kind of had a different relationship with him.”

According to Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily, some Nets players did not want Atkinson to be the coach anymore. Atkinson began coaching the team in the 2016-17 season, and he finished with a record of 118-190.

As a four-year wing, LeVert said he had a good relationship with Atkinson. LeVert is averaging a career-high 17.5 points per game and shooting a career-high 37.1% from the 3-point line. Each year of his career, LeVert’s points per game numbers have gone up.

“He’s huge for my development on and off the court,” LeVert said. “From day one we were together, so obviously it hurts, but that’s part of the business.”

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It’s unfair to call Kyrie Irving a coach killer

Kyrie Irving has had a lot of coaches in his career, but that’s not because he’s bad for their careers.

Kenny Atkinson’s departure from Brooklyn has to be at the top of the list of the most unexpected things to occur in the NBA this year.

We don’t really know the reason for Atkinson parting ways with the Nets yet — though it’s sure to leak over the next few days. Even with no concrete information about it, though, people are already theorizing reasons why.

One of the main ones? The organization’s clashes with Kyrie Irving. The friction there has been clear throughout the season, from the handling of Irving’s shoulder injury to how they play on the court with and without him.

The Nets built a culture without stars and Atkinson was an architect in that. Irving, and even Kevin Durant to an extent, don’t necessarily fit cleanly into that as superstars.

Because of that, people were quick to assume Irving was probably part of that issue. Some on Twitter even made the salient point that Irving has been coached will worked under seven different coaches over the last nine seasons.

When you do the math, the numbers add up. Next season (if Jacques Vaughn isn’t retained), Irving will have played under eight head coaches in his career. On the surface, that’s a scary proposition for any coach or organization.

But when you really dig in to what’s happened throughout his career, he isn’t necessarily what you’d call a “coach killer.” Let’s break it down.

  • Byron Scott: Irving liked Scott and said it felt like he “lost his basketball father” when he was fired.
  • Mike Brown: That was Dan Gilbert!
  • David Blatt: That was LeBron!
  • Ty Lue: Lue left Cleveland himself because the Cavs stunk two seasons after Irving was traded. They definitely clashed, though.
  • Brad Stevens: He survived – but he and Irving also definitely clashed. It got better, though.
  • Kenny Atkinson: To be determined.

So, sure, it’s safe to say that Irving isn’t a player that comes without drama. But that’s kind of what you get with most star players — there are very few exceptions.

He’s not a coach killer, though. If anything, he leaves before the coach does. We’ve got to call that something else.

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Brooklyn Nets and Kenny Atkinson mutually part ways

The Brooklyn Nets and Kenny Atkinson mutually parting ways is a surprising move.

The Brooklyn Nets will be changing coaches for the last 20 games of their season.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Nets and coach Kenny Atkinson are parting ways. The Nets’ Twitter account announced that the decision is mutual between both parties, and assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will be the interim head coach.

The Nets currently have a record of 28-34 and sit at seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Atkinson began coaching the team in the 2016-17 season, and he has a record of 118-190.

Heading into the season, high expectations weren’t placed on the Nets. Their big season wasn’t supposed to happen until 2020-21, when Kevin Durant was supposed to be back from his torn Achilles.

This season has had its challenges, with Kyrie Irving missing time due to a right shoulder impingement. Irving re-aggravated the shoulder in February, and he recently had successful surgery. 

Despite the challenges, it’s surprising that Atkinson and the Nets are parting ways. Atkinson helped lead the Nets to the playoffs last season, and their only All-Star was D’Angelo Russell.

The Nets will play the Chicago Bulls at the Barclays Center on Sunday, with tipoff slated for 3 p.m. EST.

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NBA world reacts to the Nets parting ways with coach Kenny Atkinson

Kenny Atkinson is out in Brooklyn.

After leading a young Brooklyn Nets team to the playoffs last season, head coach Kenny Atkinson welcomed the two cornerstones of a future super team in the offseason. When Kevin Durant finally returns this fall to play alongside Kyrie Irving, though, Atkinson won’t have the chance to coach them.

The Nets announced on Saturday morning that the team has “mutually agreed to part ways” with Atkinson after nearly three full seasons. The Nets are 28-34 and have been without Kyrie Irving for much of the season due to injuries, but are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference. Atkinson departs with a record of 118-190 as a head coach.

Many basketball fans and analysts were stunned by the news. Upon joining the Nets last summer, Kevin Durant said that Atkinson drew him in, and that he liked Atkinson’s approach to the game.

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San Antonio Spurs at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s San Antonio Spurs at Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The San Antonio Spurs (26-34) visit the Brooklyn Nets (27-34) Friday at Barclays Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Spurs-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

The Spurs won at the Charlotte Hornets 104-103 Tuesday, a day after dropping a 116-111 decision at home to the Indiana Pacers. The Nets were blown out 118-79 on their home floor by the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, a day after stunning the Boston Celtics 129-120 in overtime on the road.

The Spurs took the first regular-season meeting, winning 118-105 at home Dec. 19.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Spurs at Nets: Key injuries

Spurs

  • PF LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) out
  • SG Marco Belinelli (illness) out
  • C Jakob Poeltl (knee) out

Nets

  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SG Garrett Temple (ankle) doubtful

Spurs at Nets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 114, Spurs 106

Moneyline (ML)

PASS. The Nets are favored at -143, while the Spurs are +120 as road underdogs. Both teams are limping into this one, each going 4-6 across their last 10 games. Even worse, the Spurs are 6-11 in their last 17, while the Nets are 11-21 since Christmas. I’ll AVOID.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The NETS (-2.5, –110) are the STRONGEST PLAY. They’re 7-2 ATS in their last nine games following a loss and 7-1 ATS in their last eight Friday games. Not only will the Spurs be missing Aldridge (18.8 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game), but they’re 0-5 ATS in their last five games. I like my chances taking the home team, here.

New to sports betting? Every $1.10 wagered on the Nets spread will profit $1 if they win by 3 or more points.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 222.5 (-115) with a small-unit play. The Under is 4-1 in the Nets’ last five home games, 6-2 in the Nets’ last eight games as a favorite and 6-2 in the Nets’ last eight games played on one day of rest. Plus, the Under is 4-2 in the last six head-to-head meetings.

Every $1.15 wagered on the Under will profit $1 if the two teams combine for 222 or fewer points.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s record since Feb. 1: 15-6. Strongest plays: 8-3.

Since Dec. 1: 52-31-2. Strongest plays: 29-12

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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The Grizzlies stole the Nets’ viral celebration dance in their own building

The Grizzlies copied the Nets celebration while they dominated Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

They say that the NBA is a copycat league, and that apparently extends to team celebrations.

The Grizzlies blew the Nets out 118-79 on Wednesday night to push their current winning streak to three and bolster their playoff spot. That’s great news for them.

The best part, though? It was definitely the Grizzlies stealing the “Tati” dance from the Nets. The dance was Brooklyn’s signature team celebration last year that they took copied from rapper Tekashi 69’s “Tati” video. There are a ton of videos of them on the internet doing it.

The Grizzlies did it yesterday while crushing the Nets and it was hilarious. They had a good laugh doing it.

Oh, man, this is soooo good. You know what makes it even better? Music. Twitter did us a solid with this one.

This is incredible, man. The Nets don’t really do this as often anymore — probably because their season hasn’t been that fun. But it would be great if the Grizzlies could bring this back.

Please? For the culture.

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Report: Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward out vs. Cavs, Tatum probable

Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward are two of the Boston Celtics’ best wing players.

The Boston Celtics have an opportunity to rebound in Cleveland from a tough loss Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets, but they will be without some of their best players.

According to the Celtics’ Twitter account, Jaylen Brown (right hamstring strain) and Gordon Hayward (right knee contusion) will be out for the Celtics’ game Wednesday against the Cavaliers. Jayson Tatum, who missed the Nets’ game due to illness, is listed as probable.

Kemba Walker played against the Nets after missing five straight games with knee soreness, but he is listed as out for Wednesday’s game. The Celtics and Cavs will tipoff in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. EST.

Brown and Hayward suffered their respective injuries against the Nets. With Brown, Hayward and Walker out, the Celtics will not have three of their top five scorers.

If Tatum plays, an area the Celtics could exploit is the Cavs’ perimeter defense. The Celtics’ leading scorer, Tatum is scoring a career-high 23.5 points per game and shooting 39.6% from the 3-point line.

Throughout the season, the Cavs haven’t defended well against players like Tatum, someone who can create and score off the dribble. According to NBA.com stats, the Cavs rank last in the league for opponent field goal percentage (49.2%) and 26th in opponent 3-point percentage (37.5%).

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Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Brooklyn Nets (27-33) host the Memphis Grizzlies (30-31) on the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center. We analyze the Grizzlies-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Grizzlies at Nets: Key injuries

Grizzles

  • PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
  • PF Brandon Clarke (hip) out
  • SG Grayson Allen (hip) out
  • SF Justise Winslow (back) out

Nets

  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out

Grizzlies at Nets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 117, Grizzlies 108

Moneyline (ML)

The Grizzlies (+100) are coming off their best performance of the season, trouncing the Atlanta Hawks by 39 points (127-88) Monday. The NETS -121 rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics on the road Monday, 129-120, in overtime. Memphis beat Brooklyn 134-133 in an overtime thriller Oct. 27. Both teams are vying for playoff seeding or berths and are coming into the game recently snapping losing streaks. 

I LIKE NETS -121 because they do a good job defending what the Grizzlies do well and they should be able to hit 3’s against a poor Grizzlies 3-point defense. The Grizzlies are first in points in the paint, fourth in fast-break points and ninth in second-chance points. However, the Nets are around the league average in defending most of those categories and they have the size to make interior scoring difficult for the Grizzlies. 

Brooklyn only has the 25th ranked 3-point percentage, but attempts the fifth most 3’s per game. Memphis is ranked 21st in opponent’s 3-point attempts per game and is 23rd in opponent’s 3-point percentage. I.e. the Nets should be able to get a lot of good looks, and if they are going down this will be an easy winner.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Stick with our moneyline bet and PASS on the spread. But, the following ATS trends support my ML handicap. The Nets -1.5 (-110) are 16-13 ATS at home and 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. The Grizzlies +1.5 (-110) are 14-15-1 ATS on the road and 11-13-1 ATS as a road dog, losing by an average of 5.4 points per game. 

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 223.5 (-110) is the best play on the total, but only a lean for me since I don’t like playing totals. The Over is 14-3 in the last 17 head-to-head meetings in Brooklyn and 4-0 in the last four games. Furthermore, the Over is 6-1 in Grizzlies last seven vs. a team with a losing record and 4-1 in Nets last five overall.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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