Brooklyn Nets vs Utah Jazz Predictions: The Panic Bowl
Brooklyn Nets vs Utah Jazz Predictions: The Panic Bowl
It's hard to properly evaluate just how loud the warning sirens in either Brooklyn or Utah should be blaring at the moment.
Disappointing regular seasons? Check.
Possible locker room discontent between prominent players? In light of recent reports that James Harden is annoyed with Kyrie Irving being a part time player and continued strife between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, check.
Serious concerns about either team's ability to make a run to the Finals? Not so fast.
For the Nets, the concerns are purely about availability. Few have any doubt that a team with Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris on the floor can and probably will beat anyone. But news on Harris coming back continues to get worse and KD is still down. As a result, this team has now lost six straight, including two nights ago to the De'Aaron Fox-less Kings.
Can they put it together? Of course...but that time won't be now.
On Utah's end, they're rough stretch has now been extended to three wins in the last 14 games, although they're at least coming off a win against a Nuggets team missing Nikola Jokic. Donovan Mitchell has missed nine of those games, while Rudy Gobert has been absent for 10. The good news: Mitchell will be back for this matchup against the Nets. Donovan hasn't played in a home game since January 12, so he should be ready to put on a show coming out of concussion protocol.
While the absence of Gobert is a concern, the fact that Utah gets to play in their own building, where their league-leading offense is even better than normal and they get to face one of the worst defenses in the NBA, is a boon to their chances. Throw in Brooklyn's league-worst cover rate, and this is an easy decision. Give the points.
Brooklyn Nets vs Utah Jazz Line Movement
Brooklyn Nets vs Utah Jazz Pick
- Jazz -4 (-105) (Bet $105 to win $100)
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Atlanta Hawks vs Toronto Raptors Prediction
Atlanta got back to their winning ways last night with one of their most impressive victories of the season, a 124-115 win over Phoenix to end the Suns' 11-game winning streak. Since the Cam Reddish trade cleared up a clogged rotation, the Hawks have won eight of nine and have surged into the play-in tournament. With both Washington and New York scuffling behind them, Atlanta should be thinking about grabbing a top-six seed.
One of the teams they'll have to get past to do so is the Toronto Raptors, the only team to defeat them in this recent stretch of good play. The Raptors won a close one in Atlanta four days ago, part of their current four-game winning streak in which they've defeated the Heat twice and the Bulls. They are a team that is not going away.
This game will be close. We should note that on Atlanta's recent run, all but one game has come at home, and they're one of just three teams with a cover rate under 40 percent on the road. Toronto, meanwhile, is 15-12 ATS at home and 9-2 ATS in their last 11. This should come down to who has the ball last, and considering the revenge factor, a re-energized Atlanta team has to be the pick.
Atlanta Hawks vs Toronto Raptors Line Movement
Atlanta Hawks vs Toronto Raptors Pick
- Hawks +2.5 (-109) (Bet $109 to win $100)
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