Upcoming Match-ups

Nets vs Thunder Odds, Spread and Picks

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Updated Jan 28, 2021 · 6:21 PM PST

Brooklyn Nets
James Harden and the Nets lead the league in points per game and field goal percentage. Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire.
  • The Brooklyn Nets are 8.5-point road favorites over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday (Jan. 29th, 8:10 pm EST)
  • 14 of Brooklyn’s 20 games have gone over the total, including their lone meeting with OKC this season
  • See below for analysis, odds and a betting prediction

Brooklyn’s Big 3 are firing on all cylinders and will look to extend their winning streak to four games on Friday (Jan. 29th, 8:10 pm) when they visit the Thunder.

OKC enters play fresh off back-to-back wins of its own, but is getting no love at online sportsbooks leading up to this matchup.

Nets vs Thunder Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Brooklyn Nets -8.5 (-110) -370 Over 229.5 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder +8.5 (-110) +295 Under 229.5 (-110)

Odds taken Jan. 28th at FanDuel.

The Nets opened up as sizeable 8.5-point road favorites, in a game that features a total of 229.5. Brooklyn is just 1-5 in its last six contests against the spread, but has seen 13 of its last 14 outings fly over the total.

Brooklyn Outlasts Atlanta

The Nets last hit the hardwood on Wednesday, narrowly defeating the Atlanta Hawks 132-128 in overtime as 6-point favorites. Kevin Durant led the way with 32 points, while James Harden chipped in 31 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds. Kyrie Irving, the final member of the Big 3 splashed 26 points of his own and the trio combined for 67% of the Nets offense.

After dropping the first two games the trio played together, Brooklyn has reeled off three straight victories, and appear to have found its groove. They’re averaging 121 points per game since Irving rejoined the team, and Harden has turned into the NBA’s most prolific distributor.

He’s racked up double digit assist totals in all but one of his games in a Nets uniform, averaging 11.9 dimes per outing since his arrival. With so much offensive talent, it’s impossible to neutralize everyone, and it seems like Brooklyn is getting a great look every time down the floor. They lead the league in points per game and field goal percentage, while ranking third from beyond the arc, and sixth in assists.

Their incredible offense is certainly a big reason why so many of their games eclipse the total, but let’s not downplay the role their defense plays as well. Only five teams allow more points per night than Brooklyn, and they rank 22nd in defensive rebounding and 28th in steals.

Thunder Rally Past Suns

OKC meanwhile, is fresh off a come from behind win in Phoenix, rallying from 17 points down to defeat the Suns. Al Hortford returned to the lineup after a six-game absence to score 21 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander splashed 21 of his own, to go along with 8 assists and 7 rebounds.

The Thunder beat the number for the third straight game, and improved to 10-7 ATS this season. They’re one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, ranking 27th in points for and 22nd in field goal percentage, yet the over is still 9-8 in their 17 outings.

A big reason for that has been their inability to shut down the opposing team, last night notwithstanding. OKC ranks 22nd in points allowed, 24th in steals and 21st in blocks. They did hold the Suns below 100 points on Wednesday, but Phoenix was missing leading scorer Devin Booker, and they still allowed Chris Paul to rack up a season-high 32 points.

Nets Light Up the Scoreboard Again

14 of Brooklyn’s 20 games this season have gone over the total, including all but one that Kevin Durant and James Harden have both suited up in. Nine of their last 10 contests have produced a total of at least 237, including their only meeting with Oklahoma City this season.

https://youtu.be/oq_RPcxq5N8

That game touched 245 points, despite the Nets playing without both Harden and Irving. Now with the Big 3 slated to suit up on Friday, just imagine the amount of points that are likely to be scored. Play the over.

Pick: Over 229.5 (-110)

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