The Brooklyn Nets return home after a forgettable road trip that saw them go just 1-5.  Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to kickstart a four-game road trip with a victory at Barclays Center. Will the Nets stop their skid? Or, will the Pels complete a sweep of Brooklyn in this regular-season series?

Catch this game live on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:30 AM, Manila time

Away: New Orleans Pelicans (41-26/21-13 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• CJ McCollum
• Brandon Ingram
• Herbert Jones (Probable)
• Zion Williamson
• Jonas Valanciunas

The Pelicans have been one of the hottest teams in the league since February. They have won 14 of their last 19 games and have never lost more than two games in a row in that stretch. They are also 6-1 straight up in their last seven games, including last Sunday’s 127-107 crushing of the Portland Trail Blazers at home. 

The Pelicans arrive in Brooklyn with one of the most impressive road records in the NBA, as they are 21-13 SU in away games while going 18-13 against the spread in those contests. Their chances of improving on those records also look strong this Wednesday, as the Pels have already victimized Brooklyn once this season. They defeated the Nets at home on Jan. 3, 112-85, with a balanced attack that saw seven New Orleans players score in double figures each. 

The Pelicans, who are fifth in the NBA in adjusted net rating (+5.0) are 9-8 ATS this season as favorites on the road.

Home: Brooklyn Nets (26-42/16-18 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Dennis Schroder
• Cam Thomas
• Mikal Bridges
• Dorian Finney-Smith (Questionable )
• Nic Claxton

The Nets’ hopes to make at least the Play-in Tournament cut absorbed a massive blow again on Monday when they squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter of their 122-115 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs. 

That loss was Brooklyn’s third in a row and fifth in six games. While things are not looking so bright for the Nets, bettors looking to lay money on them this Wednesday can draw confidence from the fact that Brooklyn is 18-13-3 ATS in home games this season. Moreover, the Nets are 4-1 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five games at Barclays Center versus the Pelicans, dating back to 2019.

Another silver lining of late for the Nets is the play of Cam Thomas, who had 31 points in the loss to the Spurs. In five games since returning from an ankle issue, the former LSY Tigers bucket-getter has averaged 26.8 points while shooting 43.8 percent from the 3-point area.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Pelicans (-7.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (216.5) hits the Over.