New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets Free Pick – Odds and ATS Predictions

The Brooklyn Nets (17-21) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (17-21) in an Eastern Conference versus Western Conference collision set to take place at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. The tip is set for 7:30 PM ET and is scheduled to be aired on both FSN and YES. Between both sides, the Pelicans have won five of the last six fixtures overall. Most recently, the Nets were defeated by the Pelicans by a score of 117-115 when New Orleans hosted Brooklyn in October. Despite the loss, the Nets covered as an 8.5-point underdog.

New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets Overview

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans come in off a 123-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on New Year’s Eve that saw NOLA cover as a 5.5-point favorite. The cover marked the end of a five-game streak of New Orleans failing to produce a cover.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets come into the contest on the heels of a two-game losing streak both of which were suffered on the road. Brooklyn will head into this contest with two days more of extra rest as they were last seen in action in Milwaukee on Saturday where they were defeated 129-115. The Nets closed as an 11-point underdog and failed to come in under the number for their second consecutive game.

Reasons To Back New Orleans

Given the fact that the Pelicans sport a grisly road record of 4-15 SU on the road this season and have lost their last five outside of the Big Easy, the market is placing a lot of faith in NOLA coming up with a win in Brooklyn as the favorite here. This in itself warrants a closer look at the Pelicans. However, the Pelicans have a few key advantages that can put them in a position to do such. First off, the Pelicans are the more physical team on the boards as they average 2.2 more rebounds per outing, as they compile a sixth in the NBA 47.3 offensive rebounds per game. When you combine this with New Orleans’ scoring advantage as they are the second-best scoring team in the league with 116.2 points per game compared to Brooklyn’s middle-of-the-road 110.6 points per game (16th in the league), the Pelicans are in prime position to get the win.

Reasons To Avoid Brooklyn

Many will be even more inclined to fade New Orleans concerning the fact that the Nets have been playing good basketball on their own floor. In their last six contests in Brooklyn, the Nets have won five of those affairs, four of which they were favored in. It is worth highlighting that these victories were attained against some of the weakest teams in the league, including Atlanta, Phoenix, and Washington. So the perception of Brooklyn could easily be askew which plays into the hands of a potential playoff team like New Orleans who are likely undersold here.