New Jersey Nets AT San Antonio Spurs
Feb 25, 2011 at 8:35 PM EST
Opening Line: San Ant -11.5
Current Line: San Ant -11.5
Opening Total: 193
Current Total: 194
Opening Moneyline: San Ant -800 / NJ +600
Current Moneyline: San Ant -975 / NJ +675
The Nets made shock waves before the trade deadline when they dealt point guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors, 2 first round picks, and $3 Million for Utah’s all star point guard Deron Williams. It might not have been the move Nets’ fans were dreaming of — they wanted ‘Melo — but ultimately this move might end up helping New Jersey more, as finding a top tier all league point guard can prove to be more difficult than simply finding a high scoring wingman like ‘Melo.
For as posititive as all this is for the future of the Nets, there is still the striking reality that they are facing a Spurs team that they haven’t beat in San Antonio in 9 years and the Spurs have only dropped 2 home games all year, and we’re now after the all star break. San Antonio is likely going to win 65 games this year and they may be bringing home yet another championship trophy when this season is said and done.
Some betting trends:
New Jersey is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games and the total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey’s last 7 games. New Jersey is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games and they are 1-13 SU in their last 14 road games. New Jersey is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 on the road. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of their last 8 against San Antonio and New Jersey is 1-16 SU in their last 17 games against the Sprus. New Jersey is 5-14 ATS in their last 19 against San Antonio and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 6 road games in San Antonio. New Jersey is 0-5 SU in their last 5 road games against the Spurs.
San Antonio is 18-4 SU in their last 22 games and the total has gone OVER in 6 of their last 8 games. The total has gone UNDER in 10 of their last 11 at home and they are 5-0 SU in their last 5 home games. San Antonio is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against the Nets and the total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Antonio’s last 8 games against New Jersey. San Antonio is 16-1 SU in their last 17 games against New Jersey and San Antonio is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home against the Nets. San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games against the Nets and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio’s last 6 games at home against New Jersey.
Key Matchup:
Deron Williams vs. Tony Parker & George Hill
Deron Williams has been argued by some to be the best point guard in the league and prior to the trade that brought him to the Nets this week, he has been averaging a career high in scoring and his assists aren’t down much (0.8 per game from last year). He could be the only point guard in the game to average 20 points and 10 assists this year, if he does pick his assists numbers up slightly. He’ll be playing with a much less potent lineup in New Jersey than he did in Utah, but Brook Lopez should benefit immensely from the addition of Williams and the two of them are sure to be the feature of many New Jersey’s pick and rolls. Parker got snubbed from making the all-star team, but is still having one of his better seasons. His minutes are up a couple per game from last season, and his scoring and assists are up consequently. Along with George Hill, Parker makes up one half of the quickest backcourt in the NBA, and Deron Williams is a bit slow afoot, especially defensively, so Parker and Hill could pick apart the New Jersey defense.
Tonight marks the first game of a new era in New Jersey. While former point guard Devin Harris did make an all star team three seasons ago, Deron Williams is a perennial all star, and the kind that makes all-NBA teams. His addition should go a long way towards helping the Nets possibly win their first game in San Antonio in nine years.
