The Nets welcome Kevin Durant back to the lineup – while saying an indefinite farewell to James Harden – as they entertain the Pelicans on Wednesday.
Durant has been out since Feb. 13 with a hamstring injury, but is set to return to a Brooklyn team that remains tied with Philadelphia for top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pelicans, meanwhile, come in as double-digit underdogs after falling to Atlanta a night earlier.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Being a double-digit fave is familiar territory to the Nets, who were favoured by 10 or more points five times in March. And in keeping with a disturbing trend, they went just 1-4 ATS with an outright loss to Orlando over that stretch. Brooklyn is a mind-boggling 1-11 ATS in its last 11 games as a double-digit favourite, with five outright losses in that span. New Orleans, on the other hand, is 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 games when receiving 10+ points.
The total for Wednesday’s encounter is set at 231, and should generate plenty of interest on either side. On one hand, the Nets come in boasting the No. 2 offence in the NBA in 118.6 points per game and could see that number grow with Durant back in the fold. But both teams are riding notable Under trends entering this one, with Brooklyn having cashed the Under in four of its last five and New Orleans going 4-1 to the Under in its past five road games.
New Orleans Pelicans
Point guard Lonzo Ball was one of the more sought-after assets at the March 25 trade deadline, but he ultimately stayed put. And he’s showing the Pelicans why it was a good decision to keep him around; since returning from injury, Ball is averaging 19.5 points, 10 assists, 6.5 rebounds and three steals – all well above his season averages. Look for Ball to continue to shoulder a larger share of the offensive load if Brandon Ingram (foot) is out again.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Big Three of Durant, Harden and Kyrie Irving have played in just seven games together all season – and that number won’t be growing anytime soon, as the Nets are without a timetable for Harden’s return. Look for Durant to step in seamlessly and pick up the scoring slack in Harden’s absence, while Irving will be called upon to be the primary ball-handler. The Over on the Durant point prop and the Irving assist prop are strong options Wednesday.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Nets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 7 Apr 3:25pm | NO | -9 -110 | O +232 -110 |
| Closing 7 Apr 11:26pm | NO | -8.5 -105 | O +233.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 7 Apr 3:25pm NO -9 -110 O +232 -110 Closing 7 Apr 11:26pm NO -8.5 -105 O +233.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
-
Injuries
James 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 / 21Alize 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 / 21Injuries
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.
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.