The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Brooklyn Nets at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Nets Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Nets Pick.
Brooklyn Nets Betting Preview
The Brooklyn Nets have been in a slump as they’ve dropped seven of their last eight games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a four-game slide after getting beaten by the Mavericks in a 113-105 road defeat on Monday. Michael Porter Jr led the team with 28 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Day’Ron Sharpe added 14 points with 12 rebounds off the bench while Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton each scored 13 points. As a team, the Nets shot 45 percent from the field and nine of 37 from the 3-point line but they were poor defensively to start the game and were always playing from behind after trailing by 12 points in the second quarter. Terance Mann had a quiet game of just five points in 29 minutes of action while Danny Wolf scored just three points on one of six shooting off the bench.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 11 of their last 12 games overall and they will be looking to snap a two-game skid after falling short to the shorthanded Nuggets in a 122-116 loss last night. Trey Murphy III led the team with 31 points on 11 of 18 shooting, Saddiq Bey added 17 points while Jordan Poole chipped in with 16 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 45 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running with 65 points in the first half to lead by 11 points. But they couldn’t put the Nuggets away, and it cost them in the final 39.4 seconds where the Nuggets used a crucial 6-0 run to snatch the game away at the end.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Nets have lost each of their last eight road games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pelicans have won six of their eight previous games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Nets.
- The Nets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in six of their last seven home games following a home loss.
Why the Brooklyn Nets will win
- The Nets have won each of their last 11 games against Pelicans teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 11 games as underdogs.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Pelicans’ last eight games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nets’ last six road games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight home games following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Jeremiah Fears is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- Derik Queen is one of only five players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Brooklyn Nets Player Facts
- Michael Porter Jr. ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for three-pointers made per game (3.8) this season.
- Nicolas Claxton is one of only eight qualified players in the league to be leading their team in rebounds (7.5) and assists (4.1) per game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from a HT deficit this season – trailed by 22 points vs Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for H2 win percentage this season (28.6%).
- The Nets rank 30th in the league for points per game this season (108.7).
- The Nets rank 30th in the league for rebounds per game this season (40.1).
Pelicans vs Nets Prediction
The Nets are still missing Haywood Highsmith and Ziaire Williams, while the Pelicans have ruled out Dejounte Murray, Jose Alverado and Herbert Jones again. The Nets haven’t been able to get anything going over the past eight games, and they are coming into this one fresh off a loss to the struggling Mavericks. The Pelicans have continued their downward spiral with another defeat, but they are relatively healthy, and they didn’t look bad against the Nuggets last night. This is a game I would rather steer away from given, but if I had to choose, I would lean towards the Pelicans despite the fact that they are playing the second game of a back to back set.