New Jersey Nets Odds - Young Nets will struggle to end postseason drought
This year’s sportsbook odds don’t have much faith in New Jersey, a young team that is on the rise but will have to endure some bumps first. There are some dynamic players on the roster, and it’s only because they’re in the East that they have a shot at the playoffs, but inexperience may have the Nets looking at another early vacation.
New Jersey Nets Odds: +10000 to win NBA Championship
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New Jersey Nets odds maker breakdown: STARTING FIVE
Devin Harris and Courtney Lee, who came over from Orlando in the Vince Carter trade, could form an explosive backcourt. The Nets are also counting on Brook Lopez to improve on his excellent debut in which he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, and he showed an offensive arsenal that most rookies don’t have. Yi Jianlian is going into his third season, and you have to feel that it’s make-or-break time for the power forward who was drafted seventh in 2007, but has yet to average double digits in scoring. It looks like Bobby Simmons is the starting small forward, but that could easy go to rookie Terrance Williams or second-year player Chris Douglas-Roberts.
New Jersey Nets odds maker breakdown: BENCH
The Nets’ young group of small forwards could actually be the key to replacing Carter, and Douglas-Roberts has looked very good in preseason action. Rafer Alson, who also came over in the Carter trade, will be a solid backup for Harris at the point. But outside of Lopez, the New Jersey big men won’t be improving their New Jersey Nets’s NBA odds any time soon. Eduardo Najera is probably the best option, and he only played 27 games last year.
New Jersey Nets odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
New Jersey was 20th in points scored, and Lee will have to step up into the role filled by Carter if they want to stay where they are. Lopez should show some progress, and then it gets very dry for the Nets. It would be nice if either Williams or Douglas-Roberts could get to around 10 points per game, and more bench scoring would also be helpful.
New Jersey Nets odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
The Nets were slightly better on defense, coming in 17th, and Lopez turned out to be a better shotblocker and rebounder than online sports betting players expected. The center had 8.1 boards and 1.8 blocks, and he only had 3.1 fouls. Harris is also better than expected defensively, and he’ll get better as he learns. For now, he just relies on his insane quickness. But Yi doesn’t do much defensively, and the small-forward position could hurt by a lack of experience.
New Jersey Nets odds maker breakdown: COACHING
Lawrence Frank has missed the playoffs for two years in a row, and he’ll have his hands full trying to avoid a third. The team is young, and he can go either way: try and coax more scoring out of the secondary players, or commit to good New Jersey Nets defense. At least he has a leader now, as the Nets are fully Harris’ team.
New Jersey Nets odds maker breakdown: SEASON OUTLOOK
The Nets could make a push for one of the lower playoff spots in the East, but inexperience could hold them back. Harris is the oldest member of the proposed starting five at 26, which means they’ll make some mistakes. Their defense needs to tighten up if they want a shot at the postseason, but a championship is little more than a pipe dream.
The Betting Edge at betonline.com has you covered from baseline to baseline, with sports betting previews of all 30 teams in the NBA. Craig Parsons is betonline.com's college basketball expert.
