NBA Basketball Odds: New Jersey Nets at Washington Wizards
Monday, December 26, 2011
Frank Martin
Realizing it would take a Herculian task to turn around the sagging fortunes of the franchise, the New Jersey Nets devised a shoot-for-the-moon Plan B: Get Superman. While it appeared to be a sound strategy, a rumored trade for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard won't be happening anytime soon for the Nets, especially after leading scorer Brook Lopez – an integral part of the deal – suffered a broken foot and is expected to be sidelined from 6-to-8 weeks.
So that will force the Nets to go with the hand they were dealt – minus their star center – in their final season in New Jersey before moving to Brooklyn in 2012. The Nets will open the season on the road Monday against the Washington Wizards, another franchise that has known nothing but hard times in recent years. The game features an intriguing matchup at point guard between perennial All-Star Deron Williams and second-year Wizards standout John Wall.
- New Jersey Nets @ Washington Wizards
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, December 26, 2011
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (New Jersey), CS Washington
The Wizards have opened as 4.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
New Jersey Nets (0-0): New Jersey made a bold move last season to acquire Williams, who can be a free agent after the season and likely will not stick around unless the Nets can land Howard. The loss of Lopez and his 20.4 points per game forced New Jersey to trade for 7-footer Mehmet Okur, who was limited to 13 games last season with Utah. Anthony Morrow is a big 3-point threat and 2010 first-rounder Damion James needs to contribute more. The Nets finished 24-58 last season.
Washington Wizards (0-0): Wall averaged 16.8 points and 8.3 assists in finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. He is surrounded by a plethora of scoring options in the backcourt in Jordan Crawford and Nick Young and inside with Andray Blatche, but needs to take better care of the ball. JaVale McGee provides a strong shot-blocking presence, but the team is prone to being overpowered on the boards – a problem that first-round pick Jan Vesely will not solve. The Wizards were 23-59 in 2010-11.
1. Nets forward Kris Humphries, better known as Kim Kardashian’s jilted husband, was voted the most disliked player in the league. A repeat of his double-double averages (10.0 points, 10.4 rebounds) could help endear him to Nets fans.
2. New Jersey and Washington combined for eight road wins last season. The Wizards lost their first 25 away from home last season.
3. The Wizards have won seven of the past eight meetings with the Nets, including all four at home.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Wizards 109, Nets 98
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nick young - andray blatche - anthony morrow - damion james - deron williams - dwight howard - jan vesely - javale mcgee - john wall - jordan crawford
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