Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans 10/19/22 NBA Picks, Predictions, Odds

The New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Barclays Center. The New Orleans Pelicans have lost 5 of their last 7 regular season openers. The Brooklyn Nets have lost 8 of their last 9 regular season openers. 

The New Orleans Pelicans won 36 games last year and enter the second season under coach Willie Green. The Pelicans have to be thinking deep playoff run this season as Brandon Ingram has taken that next step in his career, they get a full season of CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson returns. Throw in Jonas Valanciunas at center and the Pelicans have a nice starting five that can hang with any in the league. The question is depth, as Jose Alvarado stepped up in the playoffs last season, but is still a bit of a mystery. Devonte’ Graham shows flashes, but has never quite put it all together. Larry Nance Jr. is a journeyman for a reason and Jaxson Hayes is still raw at 22 years old. The Pelicans have sleeper potential, but they’ll need their role players to step up.

The Brooklyn Nets won 44 games last year and enter the third season under coach Steve Nash. The Nets will hope to put a toxic offseason behind them, as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were in trade rumors for most of it. You also had the question marks with Ben Simmons and if he even wanted to play basketball anymore. Good news for Brooklyn is everybody returns, and on paper they’re possibly the most talented team in the league. Don’t forget, the Nets get Joe Harris back from injury, and they added T.J. Warren and Markieff Morris. If everybody can play nice and focus on the task at hand, the Nets have a great chance of winning the title. If not, moves could be made come February. Should be fun.

The Pelicans are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 Wednesday games and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Nets are 6-28-1 ATS in their last 35 home games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 overall. The under is 7-3 in Nets last 10 overall. The Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Brooklyn and 1-7 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

The New Orleans Pelicans are talented, and you’re probably going to make money with them in the underdog role this season. However, the Brooklyn Nets are the more trustworthy team given the players they return and the additions they made overall. Also, it’s important the Nets get off to a strong start because the last thing they want is for doubts and questions to creep back in. The media shuts up if the Nets are winning. I’ll lay the bucket with the Nets.