Don’t Expect Much Defense As Nets Host Hobbled Pelicans

Brooklyn and New Orleans possess two of the league’s five worst defenses —  and two of the NBA’s four highest-scoring offenses. New Orleans’ leading scorer is a little banged up, but with both teams sporting deep and talented backcourts, the OVER looks like a great play for bettors. 

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Even though Brandon Ingram is cleared to play, how much he’ll impact the game remains to be seen, which is likely why the Pelicans opened as 4-point underdogs on the road. The total started at a predictably high 231.5 points because, well, both clubs are all offense — and no defense. The total has since moved to 238.5.

New Orleans News & Notes

It’s bad enough that the Pelicans have just one win so far this season with Zion Williamson injured, but New Orleans’ superstar rookie isn’t the only one to spend time on the sidelines.

Forward Brandon Ingram left Saturday’s 115-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter with a reported head injury. Ingram is leading the Pelicans with 23.5 points per game. In addition to Ingram, forward Derrick Favors also missed Saturday’s loss, his third straight game being sidelined due to right knee soreness.

Ingram is cleared to play, but it is unsure what his minutes will look like. If Favors cannot go Monday, that leaves New Orleans with just three completely healthy frontcourt players — meaning the Pelicans will have to rely on Jrue Holiday, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball to do the heavy rebounding vs Brooklyn.

Brooklyn News & Notes

Kyrie Irving and his 30.5 points per game may be grabbing all the headlines but he’s not the only Nets player enjoying a good start to the season.

Caris LeVert is averaging 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while Taurean Prince is adding 15.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. Two 2016 first-round picks, LeVert and Prince are emerging as quality secondary scoring options for Brooklyn.

Where the Nets still need help, however, is getting overall team consistency. They’ve started the season 2-4 but their last two games — they rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Houston, then blew a 14-point lead to lose to a short-handed Detroit club — highlight the ups and downs this revamped Brooklyn squad has been plagued by in this young season.

Betting Pick: OVER 238.5

This game features the second- and fifth-worst defenses against the third- and fourth-best offenses. I’ll bank on points being scored.