NBA: Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview, Odds, Predictions

The Brooklyn Nets head to Charlotte to play with the Hornets, with both teams having to appear on the second of back-to-back nights. They both had to travel; Brooklyn from DC, while Charlotte came back home from Memphis. The difference here is that the Nets won their contest, and on the other side, the Hornets didn’t. Furthermore, Charlotte was ripped apart by the Grizzlies who didn’t have any mercy. The situation isn’t good in either the Nets or the Grizzlies, and a win here would improve the current mood in the locker room and among the fans as well.

Preview

Brooklyn Nets (3-6, -225) blew away the Washington Wizards in the first game this year in which KD played without Kyrie, who is suspended because of his off-court matters. And we have to say that we liked what we saw.

The team from Brooklyn was fierce, opening the game furiously and ending it in the same manner. They needed one big blowout to boost the morale, and a 128-86 triumph couldn’t fit better. The Nets shot 55.6% while on the other end, the Wizards 36.1%, and even though many say that the hosts had a poor shooting night, we need to add that the Nets’ defense was at its highest level this season.

KD was one board short of a triple-double, 28 points, 11 dimes and nine boards, while six other players added a double-digit number of buckets. Cam Thomas scored 17 off the bench with six assists, Nic Claxtondropped 18 and nine rebounds, 9-for-10 from the field.

Charlotte Hornets (3-6, +195) had a completely opposite intro for this one, with them losing to the Grizzlies in Memphis, 130-99. Everything was immediately known following the opening quarter, in which Morant and the boys gained a huge lead, 41-24.

The Hornets allowed 60 boards, while they collected 41, which made a significant difference, as well as the shooting efficiency, with the Hornets having only 38.4% of their attempts successful, and the Grizzlies 51%.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 17 points, and had a team-high in Tennessee, with one board and one assist. James Bouknight came off the bench to score 14 points and add five assists, while Bryce McGowens ended the night with 12 buckets. All in all, there was no hope for the short-handed Hornets here.

Head to Head Games

The Hornets had two wins over the Nets last year, while the team from Brooklyn posted one victory. Interestingly, all three triumphs were on the road, with the Hornets beating the Nets at Barclays, 111-95 and 119-110. Brooklyn was victorious in North Carolina 132-121.

Prediction

Charlotte has several big-time players out for this one – Heyward, Ball, Rozier, and without them, this unit isn’t anywhere near the playoff battle. Some say it is at least 50% weaker, and we agree with that. On the other hand, the Nets played relaxed, without any tension with Irving out, and that only proves right our claim that Uncle Drew drags this team into the mud with his behavior and toxic approach. The Nets will win, we are confident of that because they have no pressure right now.

Pick: Brooklyn Nets win -225