The Brooklyn Nets host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in what is expected to be Kevin Durant’s first game since these teams met two weeks ago.
Like several of his teammates, Durant had been placed in COVID-19 protocols. James Harden made his return shortly after and held the fort down quite nicely, averaging 38 points, 9 rebounds and 13 assists in wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.
It’s with that momentum – and the addition of Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge – that Brooklyn enters Thursday’s game. The Nets are favored by 4.5 points on Tipico Sportsbook and they’re a good bet to cover at -120 odds.
Steve Nash says he thinks Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge will play against the 76ers tomorrow. #Nets
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 29, 2021
When these teams met in October, the Nets beat the Sixers by five. In Durant’s last game, the Nets beat the Sixers by nine and that was without Harden. Not only is Harden back for this matchup, but he’s playing at an MVP-caliber level. He’ll be able to offset whatever extra the Sixers get from Tobias Harris, who had his worst shooting game of the season that night.
There’s also likely to be regression from Seth Curry, who scored 13 points more than his season scoring average. And Durant, who scored 34 that game, will offset what the Sixers get from center Joel Embiid, who had 32. If the game comes down to supporting casts, Brooklyn’s has simply been more dependable – Philly’s bench has been thoroughly outscored through two games.
Look for this game to go over on a total set at 221.5 points, as well. While Brooklyn’s defense adjusts to players working their way back into the lineup, there may be some defensive lapses that allow for more buckets than usual and forces the Nets to respond on the other end. However, there shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment period for a top-10 Nets offense, or a player with the abilities of Durant.
Three of Brooklyn’s last five games have easily topped this number and the two that didn’t were played without either Durant or Harden. Philadelphia’s recent games have not gone as high, but they were mostly against teams just as depleted as Brooklyn had been, only less talented. The first two meetings between these teams hovered around this line, with the first going over at 223 and the second under at 219. I think this game has the potential to go higher than both.
Best bets: Nets -4.5 (-120), Over 221.5 (-115)
