NBA Betting Odds and Picks: Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards

Brooklyn Nets at Washington Wizards
Friday, 2/8/13, 7:00 PM EST, TV: YES
Opening Point Spread: Brooklyn -1
Current Betting Line: Washington -1.5
Opening Total: 185
Current Total: 186
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Washington Wizards are 5-2 ATS as home underdogs of three points or less

Brooklyn has alternated wins and losses over its last six games, as it comes off a 93-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons as two-point road underdogs Wednesday night, while going UNDER the total for the fourth time in five contests. The Nets have three probable starters averaging in double figures, with center Brook Lopez leading the way in scoring 18.9 points per game. The team has compiled an even 11-11 record on the road this year, including an 8-6 mark versus Eastern Conference foes. Brooklyn is 3-1 ATS as road favorites of three points or less the last two-plus seasons, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread Friday night.

The Nets have won 13 of 18 games since the start of the calendar year, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. New Jersey is 15-6 since interim coach P.J. Carlesimo took over on the bench, with the team averaging 96.7 points per game in that span. The franchise is 18-1 when playing teams with a record below .500 at the time a game is played.

Washington will try to sweep its current three-game homestand, as it comes off a 106-96 victory over the New York Knicks as 4.5-point underdogs, while going OVER the total in two consecutive contests. “We get up for those big games,” commented Wizards point guard John Wall. He is averaging 14.6 points and 6.9 assists in 15 games this year. The Wizards have held opponents under 100 points in a season-high seven straight games. Washington is 5-2 ATS as home underdogs of three points or less this season.

The Wizards have won seven of their last eight home games, as they’ve managed to average 101.5 points in that span. Washington is 10-14 overall at the Verizon Center, including a 6-8 mark versus conference foes. Through the first 48 games of the season, the team is holding opponents to 43.9 percent shooting, which ranks eighth in the league.