On a relatively thin NBA night where most of the heavy hitters are not playing, there is still plenty of good basketball on TV. The most interesting of these is the matchup between the Thunder and the Nets in New York.
Last Games
11/1 Pistons 90 - Nets 102
11/1 Thunder 102 - Nuggets 91
Breakdown
The Thunder come into tonight's game at 1-2 and without their two biggest stars as both Kevin Durant (foot) and Russell Westbrook (hand) both sit with injuries.
This is the first of two meetings between these clubs this month, and the venue might hold as much importance as the injuries at play. The Nets were much better at home in the Barclays Center than they were on the road last season, and the home court advantage should play their way again this year. An aging core of players however, could keep the Thunder close if the Nets can't put them away early.
History
1/31/14 Thunder 120 - Nets 95
1/31/14 Thunder 120 - Nets 95
1/2/14 Nets 95 - Thunder 93
Odds
Brooklyn Nets -7
Over/Under 193
Picks
The age of the Nets and the ferocity with which the younger players on the Thunder need to play over the next month to keep them in contention keeps me from backing the Nets for four quarters. Look for their lead to shrink late in a strong defensive effort for both sides.
Thunder +7
Under 193
Under 193
