by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Jan 09, 2022
Time: Noon ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Where to watch: YES, BSSW-SA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Nets -9.5; O/U 230.5
BetMGM: Nets -9.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Spurs: 15-23 (10th place, Western Conference)
Spurs: 15-23 (10th place, Western Conference)
Nets: 24-13 (2nd place, Eastern Conference)
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Spurs - Nets preview and analysis
Recent form
Spurs: lost five of six; lost 119-100 at 76ers on Friday
Nets: lost four of five; lost 121-109 vs. Bucks on Friday
Something's got to give in this battle of struggling NBA teams when the Brooklyn Nets host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in Barclays Center.
It's weird we're talking about both of these teams on a slide, but different reasons are had for each. The Nets are somehow struggling after getting Kevin Durant out of the lineup, while the Spurs are losing players to COVID on the daily.
The Nets played pretty well with just James Harden leading the show, but have lost four of five since Durant returned from COVID protocol on Dec. 30. Brooklyn is recently coming off a 121-109 loss at home to the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in a rematch of last season's second-round series.
Durant had 29 points, but Harden had 16 on 15 shots, while the Bucks got a balanced, deep attack from Giannis Antetokounmpo (31 points, nine assists). Bobby Portis had 25 points, and Khris Middleton also had 20.
One notable name was missing after making his season debut the previous game: Kyrie Irving. The all-star had 22 points in his first game after sitting out the first 34 games because of his vaccination status. Irving can play on the road, but can't in any games in New York due to COVID restrictions. Irving will not play Sunday.
"But we got to live with what we're dealt with, and that's home games we've got to figure ways and even road games," Harden said. "Just because Ky's on the road with us doesn't mean it's going to be easy for us as well. So we've got to mesh and we've got to find ways to win games each individual time we play."
Something's got to give in this battle of struggling NBA teams when the Brooklyn Nets host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in Barclays Center.
It's weird we're talking about both of these teams on a slide, but different reasons are had for each. The Nets are somehow struggling after getting Kevin Durant out of the lineup, while the Spurs are losing players to COVID on the daily.
The Nets played pretty well with just James Harden leading the show, but have lost four of five since Durant returned from COVID protocol on Dec. 30. Brooklyn is recently coming off a 121-109 loss at home to the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in a rematch of last season's second-round series.
Durant had 29 points, but Harden had 16 on 15 shots, while the Bucks got a balanced, deep attack from Giannis Antetokounmpo (31 points, nine assists). Bobby Portis had 25 points, and Khris Middleton also had 20.
One notable name was missing after making his season debut the previous game: Kyrie Irving. The all-star had 22 points in his first game after sitting out the first 34 games because of his vaccination status. Irving can play on the road, but can't in any games in New York due to COVID restrictions. Irving will not play Sunday.
"But we got to live with what we're dealt with, and that's home games we've got to figure ways and even road games," Harden said. "Just because Ky's on the road with us doesn't mean it's going to be easy for us as well. So we've got to mesh and we've got to find ways to win games each individual time we play."
The Nets' recent slide has dropped them from the top of the Eastern Conference. That spot is currently held by the scorching Chicago Bulls, who have won nine straight and enter Sunday being 2.5 games ahead of the Nets.
It's not like this is a must-win game for the Nets, but given the inconsistencies in how the lineup will look on a daily basis, they need to start stringing together some wins. Going against a shorthanded Spurs thing could be something positive to get back on track.
The Spurs are coming off a 119-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in which the score was much closer than it should've been. Dejounte Murray led the way with 27 points but no other Spurs player came close to hitting double digits in points.
"Start whoever you want," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was missing four of his top seven scorers. "I don't even know half their names in there tonight."
It's not like this is a must-win game for the Nets, but given the inconsistencies in how the lineup will look on a daily basis, they need to start stringing together some wins. Going against a shorthanded Spurs thing could be something positive to get back on track.
The Spurs are coming off a 119-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in which the score was much closer than it should've been. Dejounte Murray led the way with 27 points but no other Spurs player came close to hitting double digits in points.
"Start whoever you want," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was missing four of his top seven scorers. "I don't even know half their names in there tonight."
Prediction
I'd be wary of taking the points with Brooklyn. I think the Nets win this game outright, but the Spurs covering is very much in play. The Nets look so out of sync with Durant back in the lineup and I think they're due for one more game to allow adjustments to take fold. Nets by 12
Betting trends
The Spurs are 34-37 ATS in their last three seasons following a non-conference game.
The Spurs are 12-10 ATS this season off a loss.
The Nets are 4-15 ATS at home this season.
Projected starting lineup
Spurs:
PG: Dejounte Murray
SG: Lonnie Walker IV
SF: Keita Bates-Diop
PF: Jock Landale
C: Jakob Poeltl
SF: Keita Bates-Diop
PF: Jock Landale
C: Jakob Poeltl
Nets:
PG: James Harden
SG: DeAndre' Bembry
SF: David Duke Jr.
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Nic Claxton
SF: David Duke Jr.
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Nic Claxton
Key injuries
Spurs: COVID -- Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Thaddeus Young, Devin Vassell, Doug McDermott
Nets: Kyrie Irving (vaccination status, out), LaMarcus Aldridge (day-to-day), Joe Harris (ankle, out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
