The Brooklyn Nets (0-4) are still winless this season after experiencing three out of four games where they were close enough to win, but didn't get off to a good start or finish the game well. Brooklyn seems ready to win their first game of the season and their next test is an NBA Cup matchup on Friday against the Detroit Pistons (4-1) and if you're wondering where you can watch all the action live, you've come to the right place!
The Nets come into this game following a 125-124 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in which Brooklyn stayed within striking distance with the Celtics before some mistakes were made in the end to lose. Forward Michael Porter Jr. had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the team in both categories while forward
Julius Randle had 24 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
The Pistons enter this matchup after a 97-89 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday in which Detroit used a dominant third quarter to get back into the game and were able to close the deal in the fourth quarter. Guard Cade Cunningham had 30 points, five rebounds, and seven assists while center Paul Reed had 16 points and four rebounds while stepping in for injured started Jalen Duren.
The Lines, Courtesy Of BetMGM
- Point-spread: Nets (+8.5)
- Money-line: Nets (+260)
- Over/Under: 222.5
Notable Injuries
Nets: OUT: Egor Demin (right leg bone bruise), Tyler Bilodeau (G League), Joshua Jefferson (G League), Grant Nelson (G League), and Ben Saraf (G League). QUESTIONABLE: Drake Powell (G League).
Pistons: OUT: Jalen Duren (hamstring) and Ugonna Onyenso (G League). QUESTIONABLE: Elijah Harkless (G League), Isaiah Joe (hip), and Isaac Jones (G League).
Advice and Prediction
The Nets have seemingly been getting closer to winning as they have amassed comebacks against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Celtics, but haven't been able to get over the hump thus far. Guard Egor Demin is out for at least the next week with a right leg bone bruise so that could mean that Nolan Traore and/or rookie Mikel Brown Jr. will see more playing time as a result.
The Pistons have had a great start to their season despite contract negotiations with center Jalen Duren taking longer than expected, but Duren is now out of the lineup with his hamstring injury. Guard Cade Cunningham has done his part as the best player on the team, but backup center Paul Reed is coming off a solid game while stepping in for Duren.
The Nets rank towards the bottom of the league in offensive rating while the Pistons are in the middle of the pack in that category. Brooklyn also ranks among the worst teams in the Association in defensive rating, but the defensive end is where Detroit thrives as they come into this game as a top-5 unit. When it comes to pace, the Nets are one of the faster units in the league while the Pistons prefer to slow the pace down.
Prediction: Pistons 115, Nets 110
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets vs. Pistons NBA Cup betting preview: Prediction, point spread
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