It took a few Kevin Durant buckets, some Kyrie Irving wizardry, and a dagger from Royce O’Neale, but the Brooklyn Nets broke into the win column Friday night vs the Toronto Raptors. By carving out a 109-105 victory, Brooklyn took down one of the game’s best “punch back” teams.
Toronto’s resilience was on full display during the contest, coming back time and time again after Brooklyn surges. However, the Nets had their own formidable trait on display — that famous “clutch gene” everyone likes to go on about.
Roll ‘em Royce@nbabet | #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/M60rSM8XIV
— Nothin' But Nets (@NetsBlogFS) October 22, 2022
As we move onto our second week though, a new but similar opponent now awaits the team. This one hails from out West and plays with so much grit, the basketball community even granted them a nickname featuring the word. Of course, I’m referring to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Over the past couple years, few teams have manhandled the Nets like the Grizzlies. They’ve made Brooklyn the losers of six straight contests dating back to 2019. Tonight on the road, Brooklyn aims to break that streak and jump above .500 for the first time this season.
Brooklyn Nets vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds, Moneyline, Over/Under
The Nets come into this contest as the underdogs via a +1 point spread. Their moneyline odds sit at -102 and the game’s over/under 233 at points. All figures are provided by FanDuel.
With the spread and moneyline, this game is about as close to even as you can get. However, oddsmakers expect both teams to take a considerable jump with their offensive efforts tonight. That feels a bit far-fetched though, highlighting the under as the right bet to take.
The Nets and Grizzlies average a combined 221.8 points per game so far during this season. That already leaves both teams with a sizeable hill to climb in the scoring department. Memphis also played an overtime game last week, making their scoring numbers inflated as well.
Brooklyn will also play minus Seth Curry again. Curry not only averaged 14.9 points per game last year, but his spacing has been missed in both of Brooklyn’s first two games. Far too many signs point toward the under to not take it.
Brooklyn Nets vs Memphis Grizzlies Lineups
With Curry out, expect the Nets to roll with the same lineup from their first two games — featuring Joe Harris off the bench at least for the time being.
Brooklyn Nets Starting Five:
- PG: Ben Simmons
- SG: Kyrie Irving
- SF: Kevin Durant
- PF: Royce O’Neale
- C: Nic Claxton
Memphis Grizzlies Starting Five:
- PG: Ja Morant
- SG: Desmond Bane
- SF: John Konchar
- PF: Santi Aldama
- C: Steven Adams
Brooklyn Nets vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction
While the Grizzlies remain a daunting opponent for the Nets given their hustle and track record specifically vs Brooklyn, they look more beatable now than they did perhaps at any other point in their past two seasons with Jaren Jackson Jr. out and possibly Dillon Brooks.
Ja Morant will do Ja Morant things tonight. I mean, who could forget this mammoth dunk he threw down on Brooklyn last year? This kid is exciting to watch even when he’s torching your team.
But Konchar, Aldama, and Tyus Jones off the bench will not be able to hang with Brooklyn’s wings in Durant, O’Neale, and Harris. I expect the scoring for Brooklyn to happen there early and often.
When you factor in both sides of the ball, Simmons and Irving should overpower Morant and Bane as long as they stay disciplined and away from foul purgatory. That just leaves Steven Adams, and although the savvy vet will have a few lessons for Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe, he is still averaging just 3.7 points even while playing 29.3 minutes per game. If he beats Brooklyn, so be it.
Prediction: Brooklyn Nets 118, Memphis Grizzlies 108
Brooklyn Nets Up Next
The Nets take on the Milwaukee Bucks following this contest at the Fiserv Forum. Brooklyn smacked the Bucks around a few weeks ago to earn their first preseason win.
Granted, that was just a preseason affair, but stars Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Kyrie Irving all played over 30 minutes that night, putting a bit more stock in the victory. Brooklyn can only hope for a similar result on Wednesday night.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change