I definitely picked the worst time to undergo a rut, as has been on show since returning to Deadspin every week in the past.
The excellent news is that every one poor stretches should come to an finish, and that can be our primary goal in making an attempt to safe this Thursday’s over/beneath on the hardwood between the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets.
Now, you could be considering, “Oh, if the Nets are concerned, absolutely you’re considering a low-scoring affair, proper?”
Improper.
True, Brooklyn is second to final within the NBA with its puny scoring complete of 105 factors per recreation as a crew. Nonetheless, keep in mind that the Nets have handled a myriad of accidents this season, and for the primary time for the reason that fall, they’ve everybody again to full well being (other than Noah Clowney).
A very powerful participant again in motion is undoubtedly Cam Thomas, Brooklyn’s fourth-year sensation. The previous LSU product is averaging profession bests throughout the board in factors (24.2), field-goal share (44.5), free-throw share (88.1), three-pointers per recreation (2.8), rebounds (3.4) and assists (3.4).
Whereas tonight marks solely his third recreation again from damage, it seems to be like Thomas received’t be on a minutes restriction, in contrast to in his earlier two video games when he suited up for about 25 minutes apiece. Thomas additionally performed like he hadn’t missed a beat, totaling 40 factors in these 50-ish minutes of motion.
Paradoxically, the 23-year-old received harm within the Nets’ first matchup with the Warriors earlier this season, which got here again in late November. In that recreation, Thomas blasted Golden State for 23 factors in solely 23 minutes earlier than sustaining a left hamstring pressure. He would miss all however two of the following 40 video games earlier than returning final Thursday.
Armed with D’Angelo Russell and Cameron Johnson by his aspect, this can be a much more potent group than it was over the previous few months, and that figures to point out up on the scoreboard.
On the Warriors’ aspect, they, too, have skilled a rejuvenation not too long ago that may propel the offense. Positive, one of many biggest basketball gamers in historical past, Steph Curry, remains to be capturing lights out from wherever he launches a shot, nevertheless it has been the addition of veteran Jimmy Butler that has actually uncorked Golden State when in possession of the basketball.
Earlier than buying Butler from Miami final month, the Warriors have been averaging a mere 111.7 factors per recreation – uncharacteristically low for them. However within the 10 video games since touchdown Butler, they’ve gone 9-1 whereas notching 120.9 factors per recreation as a membership.
For comparability, if this have been the Warriors’ scoring common for the season, they’d rank fourth within the NBA.
When the 2 groups beforehand met in November, they engaged in a high-scoring 128-120 shootout – surprisingly received by the Nets. With each groups now at full energy, I’m anticipating one thing not too far off that enthralling tempo. In flip, which means go along with the over on this one.
Decide: Over 223 (-108, FanDuel)
NBA Betting Document: 17-15, -0.71 unit
Over/Unders: 5-5
Every part Else: 12-10
Every wager graded as if it have been to win one unit.
Observe me @MattZylbert on Twitter/X for probably extra picks added there.