NBA Spreads: New Jersey Nets at Charlotte Bobcats
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The New Jersey Nets will try to avoid losing their 13th consecutive game on the road when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats Friday night. That might be difficult considering the Bobcats are already 2-0 against the Nets this season.
Our spreads have the Bobcats favored by 6.5-points over the Nets with the total set at 187.
While the Nets haven’t won on the road since beating Memphis 101-94 back on Dec. 21, they come into the game against the Bobcats off an impressive 103-101 overtime win over the Hornets. However it was the Nets first win in their last four games.
The Bobcats nearly erased a 15-point deficit against the surging Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, but ended up losing 104-103, and now are a game behind the Pacers for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets have really struggled offensively against the Bobcats in their two games this season, and a big reason for that has been the lack of production they have got out of center Brook Lopez in those games. Lopez has averaged just 15 points against the Bobcats this season, nearly five points below his season average. Lopez had 20 points in the Nets win over the Hornets, and need a big night from him if they are going to end their road struggles.
New Jersey got a huge offensive lift from Sasha Vujacic, as he scored a career-high 25 points off the bench. Anthony Morrow added 15, Kris Humphries racked up 14 points and 15 boards, and Jordan Farmar dropped in eight points and dished out 11 assists returning from injury.
Devin Harris had just two points to go with six assists against the Hornets, but spent most his energy trying to slow down Chris Paul. Harris had 19 and eight in the first game against the Bobcats, but wasn’t able to go in the second matchup.
The Bobcats have to be hoping that the Nets will help them get back on track. After winning five of six from Jan. 18-Jan. 28, Charlotte has won just two of their last seven games.
Against the Pacers, Stephen Jackson scored a team-high 27 points, while Gerald Wallace continued to play well with 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. D.J. Augustin was the only other player to score in double-figures with 14 points.
Boris Diaw led the way with 24 points and Wallace added 20 in the Bobcats most recent win over the Nets. Diaw hasn’t been much of a factor lately for Charlotte, averaging just eight points over his last five games.
I think you have to take Charlotte to win this game, they have to take advantage of these games they should win if they are going to make the playoffs, and with the way New Jersey has been playing on the road, they should have no trouble covering the spread as well.
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