Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The Brooklyn Nets were dealt a tough hand in their last game, losing Kevin Durant to injury.
• The New Orleans Pelicans’ three-game losing skid has dropped them three games back from Play-In position.
• The Nets won their earlier meeting with the Pelicans this season by 28 points!

Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds

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Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Picks

The Pelicans’ efforts have been lambasted as of late, by head coach Stan Van Gundy. On the other end, the Nets will likely be playing without two of their big three once again.

Picks:

New Orleans Pelicans def. Brooklyn Nets

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How to Watch Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans

Head-to-Head: Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans

BKN: Who Will Fill the Void?

The Brooklyn Nets are shorthanded, likely missing James Harden and Kevin Durant for this matchup. Who can fill the scoring void is the question when they face the Pelicans.

After Durant left the Nets’ last game after just four minutes of play, it was Landry Shamet that stepped up with 30 points in 37 minutes of play. It was needed, as only two other Nets players scored 12 of more in a tough loss.

Brooklyn need more out of Blake Griffin. He’s only averaging 7.8 points per game with the Nets, but has a diverse offensive game that should produce more than it has. Asking the Nets role players to step up before him is unrealistic.

Nets Key Player: (G) Kyrie Irving

.@KyrieIrving keeping everybody on their toes pic.twitter.com/gDxlXC0KhE

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 18, 2021

Having to face down the Miami Heat without either of his All-Star partners, Irving struggled from the field. He won’t have any breaks in this match against the long and athletic Pelicans.

In his last game, Irving posted 20 points, nine assists, two blocks, and two steals on just 31.6% shooting from the field.

As the team’s only true individual scoring and playmaking threat without Harden and Durant on the court, Irving will have double duty on the offensive end.

NOP: Defensive Maturity

Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy didn’t mince words when speaking about his Pelicans’ team’s inability to execute on the defensive side of the ball in their last matchup.

Despite having a six-point with under two minutes to go in the game, the Pelicans gave up two easy three-pointers that led to overtime and their eventual loss. Their defensive lapses are too regular for Van Gundy’s liking, and they’ll have a smaller margin for error against the Nets.

Brooklyn may be undermanned but they still managed to knock down 17 threes and shoot 47.6% from the field in their last game. Guards Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball will have to step up their game on the defensive end if they hope to have a chance.

Pelicans Key Player: (F) Zion Williamson

34 PTS for Zion in his 1st game at MSG. ?@Zionwilliamson x #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/e69em21SSc

— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2021

One of the few bright spots in their last matchup, Zion Williamson has been a near unstoppable force this season when he gets into the paint.

In the Pelicans’ loss to the New York Knicks, Williamson posted 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 13 of 23 shooting from the field.

The Nets have few options that can contest him in the paint, so he’ll have to be efficient in order to keep the Pelicans in the game. Improving on his three-point shooting would buoy their chances as well, as he’s failed to convert from behind the arc in his last seven games.