This week's NBA Monday night schedule for February 26th features two teams down on their luck this season. The Nets are traveling to FedEx Forum to square off with the Grizzlies. Both teams have losing records. Brooklyn is 21-35 this season and arrives in Memphis after losing four consecutive games, including the most recent 101-86 loss to the Timberwolves.
Their host is not faring any better, with a 20-37 record. Yet, despite entering tonight's matchup after a loss experienced against the Clipper, Memphis previously managed to tie a two-game winning streak. Bookie apps favor the road team, the Nets, with a 1.5-point spread. It's time to examine the odds for this team's first meeting this season, which is available for betting with a DraftKings sports promo code.
The Nets Shooting Percentage Declines
So far, new head coach Kevin Ollie has not led the Nets to victory. The team lost two games straight since Ollie became the interim coach. They cannot get into offensive rhythm, ranking as the 23rd-scoring team in the league with 112.5 points per game. The Nets shot 45.7% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.
However, the above mansion stat is the overall average, and this team's accuracy is declining. In the past three matchups, Brooklyn shot 37.3% on the floor and 26.2% from the three-point line. Against the Timberwolves, they recorded their worst shooting percentage this season at 33.7%, which hasn't happened for the Nets in the past four seasons.
Rebounding is one department where this team thrives, with 44.6 boards per game, ranking 8th in the NBA. The Nets give up 115.5 points per game and, on the defensive side, steal 6.9 balls and produce 5.2 blocks per contest. Currently, the offense rotates around Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges, who are averaging 21 points this season. Ben Simmons is listed as injured, but according to coach Ollie, Simmons will travel with the team and, if he clears medical testing, will play tonight.
Defense Gives the Grizzlies an Edge
The Grizzlies have a valid excuse for their bad performance this season - injuries. Memphis managed to stop their nine-game losing streak with two wins over the Rockets and Bucks but did not have the strength to overcome the Clippers, losing 101-95 on Friday. On average, Memphis scores 106.9 points per game, with 44.1% from the floor and 34.8% from the three-point range.
Without Ja Morant and Desmond Bane on the roster, the offense will not improve. However, the defense is respectable, conceding 112.8 points per night, ranking 10th in the league for points allowed. This team averages 6.1 blocks and 7.8 steals per game. The defensive prowess might be the Grizzlies trump card tonight, considering Brooklyn scored less than 95 points in their past three games.
Betting Prediction
Brooklyn has won 70.6% of their games this year as a favorite, and against the lowest-scoring in the league, the Nets can justify the -125 odds for the moneyline bet. The Grizzlies receive a +105 betting line for a moneyline bet from top sports gambling apps and can stage an upset against Brooklyn, which has struggled to score lately. Memphis receives -108 odds to cover the 1.5-point spread as an underdog, while the favorite gets -112 odds to cover. The total is 216.5 points with -105 odds for the Over and -115 for the Under bet.
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