Free-Falling Nets Visit Jazz
Brooklyn Mired in Six-Game Skid
Despite getting Kyrie Irving back into the lineup, the Brooklyn Nets have lost their last six games. To make matters worse, four of those losses were by double digits.
The Nets are arguably the most talented team in the league but are certainly not playing like it right now. They now will try to break that streak against the Utah Jazz, another team that’s been struggling.
Utah has lost seven of its last nine games, but a lot of that is due to players being out with injuries. Which of these teams can finally turn themselves around and get back on track?
Let’s take a closer look at this NBA game betting matchup and determine the best option if you bet online.
- Game: Brooklyn Nets (29-22) at Utah Jazz (31-21)
- Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
- Day/Time: Friday, 9 p.m. ET
- Television: SportsNet RM
Brooklyn Nets at Utah Jazz
Durant’s Absence Problematic
Kevin Durant was on an MVP pace before a recent knee injury threw him off course. He has been forced to miss the last couple weeks and is likely to remain out of the lineup until after the All-Star break.
LaMarcus Aldridge is also going to be out for this game with a minor ankle injury of his own. Still, you would think that a duo of Irving and James Harden would be enough to win a game here.
Irving has played in 10 games since coming back to the lineup and has averaged 23.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
Harden, on the other hand, has averaged 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists. However, he is shooting just 41.4 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from three-point range.
At some point, one of these two players have to take over games for the Nets to win without Durant. Recently, it has looked like neither are capable of doing that.
Jazz Set to Receive Massive Boost
The Jazz have battled injuries all season and just saw longtime glue guy Joe Ingles suffer a season-ending injury when he tore his ACL. That depleted their roster even more.
Rudy Gobert is going to be out again with his lingering calf issue and players like Jordan Clarkson and Hassan Whiteside are each listed as questionable.
Luckily, Utah will be getting back Donovan Mitchell after he missed the last eight games. Mitchell leads this team offensively, averaging 25.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
The main challenge for the Jazz will be on defense. With no Gobert and possibly no Whiteside available, there isn’t much center depth.
They are desperately hoping Whiteside can make it out onto the court. Otherwise, it will be a constant small ball lineup.
Utah Surprisingly Listed as Favorites
Even though the Nets haven’t been the strongest team in these last couple of weeks, having the Jazz listed as four-point favorites in the sportsbook seems a little ambitious.
Utah hasn’t been that great the last few weeks and while Mitchell’s return will be huge, Gobert’s absence is still a major reason for concern.
There likely isn’t going to be a lot of defense played in this game, making a bet on the over incredibly enticing – even though the NBA odds on the total haven’t opened up yet.
However, Brooklyn seems like it is in a better position to win or at least cover the spread. Irving and Harden may not be playing like we have expected, but at some point, they are going to overcome the obstacles in front of them.
Don’t be surprised if that happens here.
