Two banged-up teams on opposite ends of the NBA hierarchy will do battle on Wednesday night, with the New Orleans Pelicans traveling to New York to face the Brooklyn Nets.
While both sides will likely be missing key figures, this one should be an entertaining contest for NBA betting between a pair of defense-optional teams.
Here are our best free picks and predictions for Pelicans vs. Nets on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Pelicans vs Nets odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonPointsBet USA pegged Brooklyn a 10.5-point favorite at the outset overnight, and the line has since crept down to -8.5, where it stands at 4:30 p.m. ET. The underdog Pelicans are landing 64 percent of spread bets and 59 percent of spread money. The total is up to 233.5 from a 230.5 opener, with the Over taking 71 percent of bets/79 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gamePelicans at Nets betting preview
Injuries
Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr. PG (Doubtful), Zion Williamson PF (Probable), Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG (Out), Brandon Ingram SF (Doubtful), Steven Adams C (Questionable), Isaiah Thomas PG (Questionable).
Nets: Landry Shamet PG (Questionable), James Harden SG (Out), Tyler Johnson SG (Out), Kevin Durant (Probable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 6-1 in the last seven games between the Pelicans and Nets. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Nets.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Pelicans, under hard-nosed head coach Stan Van Gundy, have been one of the league's biggest disappointments in 2021. After a puzzling offseason in terms of roster construction, New Orleans' season has landed with a thud. At 22-27 SU, the Pels are on the outside of the play-in picture and are only moderately better against the spread, with a 23-26 ATS record this season.
New Orleans' mediocrity has continued in recent weeks, with 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS records over its last 10 games.
Brooklyn, despite rarely seeing its three superstars share the floor so far this season, has been the class of the Eastern Conference. At 35-16 SU, the Nets are a game clear of the 76ers atop the conference and routinely control games from wire to wire, regardless of which member of their big three is doing the heavy lifting.
The Nets' 24-27 ATS record this season is indicative of a team with a big reputation failing to cover sizable lines due to porous defense and inconsistent health. While both ring true ahead of this one, we still like them to cover, with New Orleans also missing key players and playing the second night of a back-to-back on the East Coast.
PREDICTION: Nets -10.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
While New Orleans, in large part, has disappointed in 2021, one area has not been a letdown: Zion Williamson's growth. In year two, Williamson has ascended to stardom, already established as one of the game's most unstoppable forces on offense—with fantastic efficiency, too.
Williamson's impact is such that, despite the Pelicans' awkward roster around him, they are eighth in offensive rating. He returned to the lineup last night after a three-game absence and promptly put up 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting.
Even with a number of stars carrying injuries into this one, the Over is still massively tempting. Not only have these two teams consistently rewarded Over bettors in 2021, with the Pels and Nets 33-16 and 30-21 O/U respectively, but both have dreadful defenses, ranking 28th and 25th in defensive rating. Both teams, even with inconsistent health following them, are safe Over plays.
With Williamson likely playing on the second half of a back-to-back – and Brooklyn able to turn to two of their stars – even with Brandon Ingram's status in doubt, we like the Over here.
PREDICTION: Over 231 (-110)
Player prop pick
Since Brooklyn acquired James Harden from the Rockets, Kyrie Irving has played only three games without either co-star alongside him. While his point totals in those games actually took a hit, with an average of 26.3 (down from his season average of 28.0), Irving has taken on an inflated role elsewhere. A 15-point night was accompanied by 11 rebounds. A 24-point night was accompanied by 15 assists. And a quiet, two-rebound seven-assist game was buoyed by 40 points on 15-of-28 shooting.
Though Kevin Durant is expected to return in this one, his minutes will surely be limited, especially after Harden's scare. With Brooklyn needing Irving to carry the load, we like him to deliver.
PREDICTION: Kyrie Irving Points + Rebounds + Assists Over 40.5 (-115)
Pelicans vs Nets betting card
- Nets -10.5 (-110)
- Over 231 (-110)
- Kyrie Irving Points + Rebounds + Assists Over 40.5 (-115)
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