FREE MARCH MADNESS PICKS!
CLICK HERE to learn more and get started for free!
ATS Sports Betting Advisory Services has been consistently crushing basketball for clients and want you to join them during round 1 and 2 of March Madness - absolutely free!
This Sunday, the (47-23) Denver Nuggets will travel to Brooklyn, NY to take on the (39-31) Brooklyn Nets. Tipoff will be at 3:30 PM EST inside the Barclays Center. This will be the second meeting between these two teams this regular season, as the Nets won the last battle, 122-120.
The Denver Nuggets are entering this game after taking down the Detroit Pistons and battling with the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon. They have continued to struggle on the defensive end of the court, as they will have to get more stops if they want to challenge the Nets on the road.
The Brooklyn Nets are coming into this one after falling to the Sacramento Kings, 101-96. They struggled on the offensive end of the court, as they will have to heat up from the field if they want to take care of business at home.
Yesterday's Best Bet cashed, as I am (37-19-1) in my last 57 Best Bets. Now, I've picked a side in the Michigan State vs. Marquette game, as I can't wait for this one to start! Pick up my Sunday CBB Best Bet and I will see you back in the GREEN!
This game was written/published before last night's results.
Will the Nuggets Wake Up?
The Denver Nuggets are currently in first place in the Western Conference standings, as they have a 4.5-game lead over the Sacramento Kings. They are also (5-5) in their last 10 games played. On offense, they are scoring 116.9 points per game and they have shot 50.8% from the floor. This is the seventh most points scored per contest and the highest team shooting percentage. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Nuggets have the second-highest adjusted offensive rating in the NBA. Nikola Jokic continues to lead the way on the offensive end of the court, as he is averaging 24.8 points per game on 63.3% shooting from the field. Denver has also shown that they can make it rain from behind the arc, as they are shooting 38.7% from deep. This is the second-highest three-point shooting percentage, as they can score anywhere on the floor. Unfortunately, they have struggled at the charity stripe, though. Denver has only made 75.3% of their shots at the line, which is the 24th-highest free-throw percentage in the league.
On the defensive end of the court, the Nuggets are allowing 113 points per game and their opponents have shot 48.1% from the floor. This is the 13th most points surrendered per game and the 23rd-highest shooting percentage allowed. According to dunksandthrees.com, Denver has the 19th-lowest adjusted defensive rating in the NBA. They've struggled to contest shots near the rim, but their perimeter defense has saved them at different times this season. They are forcing their opponents to shoot 35% from behind the arc, which is the sixth-lowest three-point percentage allowed. The Denver Nuggets are also averaging 43 rebounds per game, which is the 17th most.
Injury Report: Zeke Nnaji PF (Shoulder) is probable.
Can the Nets Stun the Nuggets at Home?
The Brooklyn Nets are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, as they are 11 games back from the first-place Bucks. They are also (5-5) in their last 10 games and they have lost two straight. On offense, they are scoring 113.5 points per game and they have shot 49.1% from the floor. This is the 19th most points scored per game and the third-highest team shooting percentage. Mikal Bridges continues to lead the way on the offensive end of the court, as he is scoring 19.1 points per game on 47.3% shooting from the field. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Nets have the 12th-highest adjusted offensive rating. Brooklyn has also shown that it can efficiently knock down shots from anywhere on the floor. They have knocked down 38.3% of their shots from deep, which is the fourth-highest three-point percentage in the league. Luckily, they have been much better at the charity stripe. The Nets have made 79.8% of their shots at the line, which is the eighth-highest free-throw shooting percentage in the NBA.
On the defensive end of the court, the Nets are surrendering 112.9 points per contest and their opponents have shot 46.1% from the floor. This is the 12th least amount of points given up per game and the fourth-lowest shooting percentage allowed. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Nets have the 11th-lowest adjusted defensive rating in the NBA. Brooklyn has shown that they will consistently contest shots in the paint, but their perimeter defense has lacked at different times this season. They are currently allowing their opponents to shoot 37% from deep, which is the 22nd-highest three-point percentage allowed. The Brooklyn Nets are also averaging 40.3 rebounds per game, which is the second-least. They have to crash the offensive and defensive glass if they want to stay competitive in these games.
Injury Report: Ben Simmons SG (Knee) is out.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
I am going to ride with the Brooklyn Nets (+2.5) at home, as I believe they are good enough on the defensive end of the court to cover the spread in this game. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Nets have the 11th-lowest adjusted defensive rating and they are holding their opponents to the fourth-lowest shooting percentage from the field. The Nuggets have continued to struggle over the last week, as I don't believe they will wake up in this game. Denver has also been terrible on the defensive end of the court, as they won't get enough stops to pull away throughout this game. The Nuggets are allowing the 23rd-lowest shooting percentage from the field and they only have the 19th-lowest adjusted defensive rating, according to dunksandthrees.com. Their defensive struggles will continue in this game and the Nets will find different ways to score without. Brooklyn still had the 12th-highest adjusted offensive rating and the third-highest team shooting percentage. They will continue to attack throughout this game and score enough points to cover this spread.
Pick the Brooklyn Nets and take the points (+2.5).
BetMGM wants to make your first tournament bet easy! Get up to $1,000 back in Bonus Bets if you don't win. What are you waiting for? Passing this up would be Madness! *Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in Nevada, New York or Ontario. Click here to begin your Tournament!
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
I will be hammering the over in this matchup, as I see both of these teams scoring enough points to push this total over the number. They both have average adjusted tempo ratings and they both have shown that they can efficiently score on the offensive end of the court. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Nuggets have the second-highest adjusted offensive rating and the Nets have the 12th-highest. They will both efficiently score throughout this game and do their part in pushing this total over the number. Denver will find different ways to score on this Brooklyn defense, as they have one of the best offenses in the NBA. But, they haven't been very strong defensively. They will allow the Nets to score enough points to push this total over the number, as Brooklyn has the fourth-highest team shooting percentage and they are scoring 113.5 points per game. Both offenses will continue to attack throughout this game and they will score enough points to push this total over the number.
Pick the over and expect both offenses to be the story in this one.
