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Nets vs Wizards Odds, Spread and Picks

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Updated Jan 18, 2022 · 7:47 PM PST

James Harden calls out a play
Jan 15, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) directs his team against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
  • Brooklyn is a 1-point favorite over Washington on Wednesday (Jan. 19th) at 7 pm ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC
  • The Nets will be missing Kevin Durant who will reportedly miss four to six weeks with a sprained MCL
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Life without Kevin Durant is once again a reality for the Brooklyn Nets. KD suffered a sprained MCL in Saturday’s win over New Orleans, and is reportedly set to miss the next four to six weeks.

The Nets dropped their first game without him on Monday in Cleveland, and will look to rebound on Wednesday (January 19th) when they travel to Washington to face the Wizards.

Nets vs Wizards Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Brooklyn Nets -112 -1 (-108) O 230.5 (-110)
Washington Wizards -104 +1 (-112) U 230.5 (-110)

Odds as of Jan 18th at FanDuel.

Despite Durant’s absence, Brooklyn still opened up as a 1-point favorite, in a contest that features a total of 230.5, and you can make a wager through New York sports betting, which was recently launched in the state.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, a building where the Wizards are 13-8 so far this season.

Brooklyn Nets Betting Analysis

KD’s injury is very similar to the one he suffered back in 2017 as a member of Golden State. It cost him five weeks of action, but he returned in fine form to help lead the Warriors to the title. His NBA MVP odds had already fizzled, fading to fifth-best, and this will likely end those chances.

He should be back in plenty of time before this season’s playoffs, but the Nets are going to need to lean heavily on James Harden, and Kyrie Irving (at least on the road) in his absence.

Whether it’s injury, rest, or COVID related absences, Brooklyn’s Big 3 have barely spent anytime playing together since joining forces. They’ve played together just twice this season, and only 10 times out of 101 possible regular season games.

Irving was in the lineup for the Nets’ first game without KD on Monday, but it didn’t seem to matter. Brooklyn fell 114-107 to the Cavs, allowing Cleveland to shoot 51.9% from the field, and getting absolutely worked in the paint.

The Cavs outscored the Nets 54-34 down low, and Brooklyn is in danger of getting exposed again in the paint on Wednesday – more on that later.

The Nets were already thin thanks to injuries before Durant went down, and are lacking serious depth at the moment. Starting swingman Joe Harris remains out with an ankle injury, while forward Paul Millsap (personal) and starting center Nic Claxton (hamstring) will miss Wednesday’s action as well.

DeAndre Bembry, who’s seen heavy minutes in Harris’ absence, sat out Monday and is officially listed as questionable with back spasms.

Washington Wizards Betting Analysis

The Wizards, meanwhile, enter play winners or three of their past four. Last time out, they worked Philly 117-98, thanks to a balanced attack. Montrezl Harrel led the way with 18 points, while Kyle Kuzma chipped in 15 points, including this massive dunk over Joel Embiid.

Seven Washington players reached double-figures, including Bradley Beal who had 13. Beal had missed the previous three games due to health and safety protocols, but still leads the team in points (23.7) and assists (6.4) per game.

The victory improved the Wizards to 23-21 overall, good enough for eighth spot in the East. They shot 48.3% from the field, and outscored the Sixers 50-44 in the paint.

Dominating down low is nothing new to Washington, as only two teams (Memphis, San Antonio) score more points in the paint than the Wizards.

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Nets vs Wizards Pick

Brooklyn took down Washington 104-90 in their only meeting this season, thanks to 25 points from Durant. The Nets were 25-12 without KD last season, but are 3-4 in games he’s missed so far this year.

His absence, along with the injuries to some of Brooklyn’s other key contributors puts the Nets in a tough spot on Wednesday against a fully healthy Wizards team.

Brooklyn is just 2-9 against the spread over its past 11 contests, while Washington has been dynamite against the number at home. They’re 12-9 against the spread overall at Capital One Arena, including 6-2 as a home ‘dog.

The juice is already leaning towards the Wizards, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if this game closes at a pick’em, or possibly even with Washington favored. Grab the value while you can.

Pick: Washington Wizards +1 (-112)

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