The Nets looked much better yesterday, getting their first win of the season in Brooklyn. Led by the competent play of Kyrie Irving, I think this could really be a turning point for this side going forward.
The public is also all over Brooklyn in this spot, with 64% of punters liking them -1.5 points. While this does give me some concern, I think the Nets have captured some momentum that will stay with them for a while.
Without Blake Griffin, the Pistons are undoubtedly a bottom 10 team in the NBA. His absence was compounded by the loss of Blake Griffin, ensuring Detroit are without their two best players.
While Andre Drummond is solid on the interior, fellow starters Markieff Morris, Tony Snell, Luke Kennard, and Tim Frazier just aren’t up to it. I think they get comfortably outplayed to start with and need big games from guys like Rose and Galloway to stay competitive.
Both sides are on a back-to-back here, with Detroit travelling from Chicago and the Nets coming in from Brooklyn. Given their thin rotation, Detroit is probably the more fatigued side in this spot, even in a home game.
Kyrie is also likely to have an absolute field day in this one, with neither Tim Frazier or Luke Kennard able to competently guard him. Jarrett Allen is a much better fit than DeAndre Jordan in the starting lineup and I see him at least containing Andre Drummond here.
Ultimately, I think this line is too short for a Nets team that looks to have come together over the past few days. I like them laying just 1.5 points here and also see value in some Kyrie over points props.
Few teams have exceeded expectations as much as the Phoenix Suns so far this season. They enter this contest with a respectable 3-2 record, going a league-best 5-0 ATS so far.
Punters are unsurprisingly all over them in this spot, with 68% of the early action on Phoenix -2.5. Although they’ve certainly been impressive of late, I can’t help but think Phoenix is overrated in this spot.
While they had an impressive win against the Clippers, I don’t write too much into blowout wins over Sacramento and Golden State. There were mitigating circumstances in both of those games and I think they’ll be anomalies going forward.
As well as Aron Baynes has played of late, I don’t see him keeping this up either. Much of this is built on his unsustainably hot 3-point shooting, making life much easier for Booker and Rubio in the backcourt.
Let’s not forget that this is historically a side that has played to the level of their competition. They’ve enjoyed a few high-profile clashes thus far, but this one is definitely at the bottom of the totem pole.
This is also their last road game before they head home, so I can see somewhat of a motivational lull here. Compare that to a Memphis side that hasn’t played in 4 days and is coming off a brutal 30-point defeat to the Lakers.
I expect them to be frisky against most opponents, but the Lakers are just a terrible matchup for them. They’re a side that tend to thrive in the home underdog role, especially against a side like Phoenix that is rarely a road favourite.
Ja Morant is looking like the ROY frontrunner I predicted in pre-season, while Jaren Jackson matches up particularly well with this side. I see this one as a very similar game to Brooklyn last week, where Memphis competed the whole way and took it out in overtime.
Given their home court advantage, I think they’re well worth it at the current line of 2.5 points. Keep an eye out on this line closer to tip-off, as the Phoenix money could push it to 3 and beyond.