Washington Wizards vs Brooklyn Nets NBA Picks, Odds, Predictions 1/31/21

The Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards collide at the Capital One Arena on Sunday night.

The Brooklyn Nets have been in great form as they’ve won eight of their past 10 games and they will be gunning for a season-high fifth straight win after blowing past the Thunder in a 147-125 road win on Friday. James Harden led the team with a triple-double of 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, Kyrie Irving added 25 points with seven assists on 10 of 16 shooting, Joe Harris scored 20 points while Bruce Brown chipped in with 19 points on nine of 11 shooting. As a team, the Nets shot a sizzling 57 percent from the field and 19 of 45 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 76 points in the first half, before cruising in the second half as nine Nets players finished in double figures in scoring.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards have been in terrible form as they’ve lost seven of their last eight games and they will be hoping to avoid a fifth straight defeat after getting routed by the Hawks in a 116-100 home loss on Friday. Russell Westbrook returned to the starting lineup to lead the team with 26 points on eight of 18 shooting, Bradley Beal had a poor shooting night as he finished with 26 points on 10 of 26 shooting while Garrison Matthews chipped in with 10 points off the bench but no other Wizards player finished in double figures. As a team, the Wizards shot just 36 percent from the field and seven of 28 from the 3-point line as they fell behind early and never looked threatening in a game where they trailed by as many as 23 points.

Looking at the betting trends, the Nets are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games, 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a losing record and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as a favorite. The Wizards are 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games, 4-1 ATS in their last five games against a team above .600 and 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.

Head to head, the under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Washington, the Nets are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings overall and the Nets are 4-15 ATS in the last 19 meetings in Washington.

James Harden is currently listed as questionable with a left thigh contusion, but the good news is that Kevin Durant is expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested in the teams’ last outing. The Wizards have been in a world of hurt all season, they can barely defend anyone and they’re rarely competitive, even when Beal puts up monster numbers. With that being said, I’m sticking with the Nets to stay hot with another win and cover here behind big games from Durant and Irving.