Kings vs. Nets NBA Odds, Preview and Prediction (Archive)
The struggling Brooklyn Nets host the new-look Sacramento Kings. Both teams were major players at the trade deadline but it’ll be a while before we see the Nets’ new roster. As for the Kings, so far so good as their new lineup seems to have some early chemistry that they can build on. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers to see if we can cash some NBA picks tonight.
Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets
Monday, February 14, 2022 – 07:30 PM EST at Barclays Center
New Look Nets Will Take a While
The moves that the Nets made at the trade deadline made them a better team. That's my opinion and although some might disagree, the fact is, we've seen what James Harden looks like when he decides he wants out.
There were signs in the last few weeks like his hamstring issues acting up out of nowhere. Or the mystery hand injury to his non-shooting hand that kept him out of another game. Or when he played 37 minutes and scored 4 points which did not go unnoticed on social media. Those of us that pay attention to the league could see that Harden was posturing to get out.
When Kevin Durant made his comments about the trade, if you were paying attention, he specifically said "now we have guys who want to be here". That choice of words was very specific and I think Durant has reached the point of his career where he knows this point very well. When he no longer wanted to be in OKC, he simply left and joined their arch-nemesis. When his deal was up with Golden State, he wanted to do his own thing instead of running it back. I also think that Durant could see that in terms of his team's long-term outlook, this move is probably better for the Nets.
Tonight the Sacramento Kings come into this game as -4-point road favorites at the NBA odds due to the fact that we are not close to seeing the new look Nets yet. Durant has mentioned that he will need a few more weeks before he is totally ready to play. He has already been ruled out of the All-Star game. It's anyone's guess as to when Ben Simmons will be ready to go but it's looking like March at the earliest.
In the meantime, as presently constructed, the Nets have lost 10 games in a row.
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New Look Kings On Long Road Trip
Seven of the next eight games are on the road for the Kings and they really have a chance to make some moves in the standings. It's hard to say that a lot of them are winnable because we are talking about the Kings after all.
My optimism comes from their new lineup that includes Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, and Donte DiVincenzo. The best way for me to explain what I've seen is by looking at Richaun Holmes' minutes. Let me start by saying I admire Holmes' game, especially if he's your backup center. He is not a starting-caliber player if you're serious about winning.
For the last three seasons, Holmes has played 28 minutes a game for the Kings. Since Sabonis has been inserted into the starting lineup, Holmes' has played 14 minutes a game which is perfect for him. They're also getting quality minutes off the bench from DiVincenzo as well and come into tonight's game as deserved favorites.
That being said, to lay more than one possession (anything over -3) on the road with an inconsistent team, you're asking a lot.
I think the total is where the value is in this spot. The total opened at 225.5 and has been steamed up to 228. I'm taking the over in this spot because, during this eleven-game losing streak, Brooklyn has been the 28th ranked defense in the league. Well, the Kings haven't been much better during that stretch, where they rank 26th defensively.
Even though the Kings roster is different now, the guys they brought in aren't exactly defensive stoppers and I see a high-scoring game tonight. My official play is the Over 228 (-110) at one of our top-rated sportsbooks.
NBA Pick: Over 228 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
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