Spurs vs. Nets: 3 Best Bets
The San Antonio Spurs have lost six straight games, which is the second-longest streak of their season. With a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, who were active at the trade deadline, the Spurs are hoping to secure their first win of the Rodeo Road Trip.
Brooklyn is also riding a losing streak of their own, dropping three straight games. They traded away Spencer Dinwiddie and Royce O'Neale on Thursday's trade deadline, and are still aiming for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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The Spurs will be without Charles Bassey and buyout candidate Marcus Morris, and Brooklyn has Cam Johnson and Day'Ron Sharpe listed out. Former Spur Lonnie Walker IV is probable.
Keep it posted here for our three best bets, courtesy of the lines at SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point spread: Nets -5.5 (-118)/Spurs +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Nets (-250)/Spurs (+180)
Over/under: 232.5
Our Picks
Safe pick: Tre Jones OVER 11.5 points (-120)
Tre Jones has averaged 12.8 points over his last five games, and will likely take more shots than usual tonight. Victor Wembanyama has to go up against Nic Claxton, Devin Vassell faces off with Mikal Bridges, and Jeremy Sochan will see Ben Simmons. All of those players have received Defensive Player of the Year votes at some point in their careers, so Jones will have an easier go of it, matching up with Cam Thomas.
Opponent pick: Ben Simmons OVER 5.5 points (-138)
It's easy to laugh at Ben Simmons and take his under for the sake of the joke, especially considering that he is a three-time All-Star who, at only 27 years old, is averaging 6.4 points. When Victor Wembanyama is on the floor, Simmons is likely to not even attempt a field goal, but when the two don't share the court, expect Simmons to attack the rim, as Zach Collins simply doesn't strike fear into the hearts of drivers as Wemby does.
Team pick: Spurs +5.5 (-110)
These Nets are not a good team. Simmons is an enigma on the offensive side, Thomas is a volume scorer and not much more, Bridges and Claxton are pretty solid, but so are Vassell and Wembanyama, so we can call that a wash. From a talent perspective, the two teams are even. If the Nets rush out to an early lead, expect the Spurs to collapse, but if they can keep it close, they should be able to cover.
