All things being equal, the Brooklyn Nets are considerably better than the New Orleans Pelicans – but as with most games in the NBA season, all things are certainly not equal.
And that’s rough news for the Nets, who will be down a half-dozen players (including two superstars) for their only visit this season to Smoothie King Arena. While Brooklyn deals with a litany of absences, the Pelicans’ starting five is fully healthy and ready to end a three-game losing skid.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
They’ve only had the sensational trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden together in the same lineup a handful of times this season – but bet against the undermanned Nets at your peril. Brooklyn has been an absolute force as an underdog this season, going 11-3 ATS with a whopping 10 straight up victories in that span. On the flip side, the Pelicans are a dreadful 11-16 SU and 9-18 ATS as a favourite so far this season.
The total for this game has taken a hit, opening in the high-230s before settling in the low-230s following word that the Nets would be without Durant, among others. And that might be just the move to compel bettors to side with the Over, with the Nets at 34-23 O/U this season and the Pelicans at 36-20-1. And then there’s this little nugget: New Orleans is a staggering 21-6 to the Over in 27 games as a home underdog this season.
Brooklyn Nets
Durant and Harden will be joined on the sidelines by Big man Nicolas Claxton and guard Chris Chiozza, depth pieces that have helped keep the Nets competitive this season. And as usual, when one or more of the Big Three are out, the remaining stars are expected to pick up the scoring slack – so expect a big game from All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. He’s in the midst of a career year, and should feast on a Pelicans team allowing 115.1 points per game.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans might finally be getting healthy, but it might be too late to salvage their flickering playoff hopes. New Orleans enters the day a full 4.5 games back of the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference, and will play 12 of its final 15 games against teams sitting at or above .500 at this point in the season. The Pelicans have gone just 13-21 SU against teams with even or winning records, and 12-11 vs. teams below the .500 mark.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nets vs. Pelicans?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 20 Apr 1:42pm | BK | -2.5 -110 | O +233 -109 |
| Closing 20 Apr 11:27pm | BK | -3 -115 | O +235 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
Injuries
Alize Johnson (SF)
Jeff Green (SF)
Landry Shamet (PG)
Joe Harris (SG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Alize Johnson (SF)
Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Reggie Perry (PF)
Blake Griffin (PF)
James Johnson (PF)
Naji Marshall (PF)
Wes Iwundu (SF)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Brandon Ingram (SF)
Steven Adams (C)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 2-6-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jeff Green (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-7-1 | + - |
|
Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Landry Shamet (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 | 9-3 | 4-7-1 | + - |
|
Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Joe Harris (SG) | Prob Sat | Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 | 12-3 | 5-9-1 | + - |
|
Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Tues | Face - 11 / 05 / 21 | 13-3 | 6-9-1 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 | 16-7 | 8-14-1 | + - |
|
Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 | 17-8 | 8-16-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action. |
|||||
| Nicolas Claxton (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return. |
|||||
| Reggie Perry (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court. |
|||||
| Blake Griffin (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 | 20-9 | 11-17-1 | + - |
|
Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded. |
|||||
| Naji Marshall (PF) | Prob Fri | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Wes Iwundu (SF) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | out for season | Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Brandon Ingram (SF) | out for season | Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | out for season | Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-8 | + - |
|
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 | 9-4 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Apr 1:42pm BK -2.5 -110 O +233 -109 Closing 20 Apr 11:27pm BK -3 -115 O +235 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
Injuries
Alize Johnson (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21Jeff Green (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21Landry Shamet (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21Joe Harris (SG)
Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21Alize Johnson (SF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Reggie Perry (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Blake Griffin (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21James Johnson (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21Naji Marshall (PF)
Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Wes Iwundu (SF)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21Brandon Ingram (SF)
out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alize Johnson (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 6-3 2-6-1 + - Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Jeff Green (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 8-3 3-7-1 + - Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Landry Shamet (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 9-3 4-7-1 + - Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round.
Joe Harris (SG) Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 12-3 5-9-1 + - Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21 13-3 6-9-1 + - Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 16-7 8-14-1 + - Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday.
Alize Johnson (SF) Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 17-8 8-16-1 + - Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action.
Nicolas Claxton (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return.
Reggie Perry (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court.
Blake Griffin (PF) Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 20-9 11-17-1 + - Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes James Johnson (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 0-2 2-0 + - Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF) Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF) Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG) out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF) out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C) out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG) Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 4-3 2-5 + - Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 8-3 3-8 + - Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 8-4 3-9 + - Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 9-4 4-9 + - Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.