Portland Trail Blazers vs Brooklyn Nets Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Portland Trail Blazers are on a two-game losing streak, but look to take 11th in the West.
• The Brooklyn Nets are coming off of a heartbreaking loss in their last game.
• The Trail Blazers won their first meeting with the Nets this season, 114-108.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Brooklyn Nets Odds

The Portland Trail Blazers are just treading water in the West, but new arrivals Josh Hart and Drew Eubanks have been productive since they’ve arrived. However filled with veterans and fighting for a top six spot, the Nets should come out with a victory.

Picks:

Brooklyn Nets def. Portland Trail Blazers

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Head-to-Head: Portland Trail Blazers vs Brooklyn Nets

Injury Report

How can the Trail Blazers beat the Nets?

The Portland Trail Blazers won’t get any rest when they take on the Brooklyn Nets. While Kyrie Irving won’t be able to play, the Trail Blazers will still need to control the tempo in order to find victory.

In losses the Brooklyn Nets’ pace is higher by plus-2.4 field goal attempts while also converting on 4.4 fewer field goals. When the Nets rush their offence, they are much less effective.

Portland have one of the more middling paces in the NBA, but without their star scorers in the lineup they’ll need to do even more in order to find easy opportunities. In terms of sheer athleticism, the Trail Blazers have the edge.

Trail Blazers Key Player: (G-F) Josh Hart

“Whatever I do on that court, it isn’t about myself. It’s about the team and winning.”

ISO with @JoshHart ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WOxAfPGiWf

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 17, 2022

When the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Josh Hart at the trade deadline, he wasn’t thought to be a central piece to their future. However, in recent games, Hart has shown that his versatility can be key to any Trail Blazers lineup.

In his last game, a loss to the New York Knicks, Hart posted 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists on 6 of 15 shooting from the field.

Taking a more central role in the Portland offense, Hart has the opportunity to raise his game to a higher level. If he can find some consistency with his three-point shooting, the Trail Blazers could have a real gem on their hands.

How can the Nets beat the Trail Blazers?

The Brooklyn Nets suffered a heartbreaking loss in their last match against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite it being a buzzer-beating effort, Brooklyn’s two-way play still needs a lot of work in order to be competitive with the best.

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the bottom third of the league in offensive and defensive efficiency, and don’t really excel from any position on the court. The Nets will need be on point with their mid-range game, as their better offensive players are sure to see multiple defenders.

Ranked 30th and 29th in the NBA in three-point and two-point field goal percentage allowed, the Trail Blazers don’t expect to present much of a defensive threat. Should the Nets find a win, it’ll likely be through pragmatic ball movement and finishing.

Nets Key Player: (G) Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic with a special delivery to Nic Claxton!

Watch Now on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XQDB0I5tUZ

— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2022

The Brooklyn Nets acquired Goran Dragic late in the season and is coming off of his best game in a Nets uniform. While the veteran is still getting used to his new team, he showed that his offensive prowess is always a threat.

In his last game, a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Dragic posted 21 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. He was a plus-3 on the night, mostly due to his 9 of 16 shooting night from the field.

Once Dragic finds his rhythm from three-point range, shooting just 28.6% from three in 10 games with the Nets, Brooklyn’s opponents will have another troublesome weapon on their hands.

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