NBA 2021/22 on Friday, 18.02.2022
The whole saga of James Harden has come to an end – and honestly, I didn’t think the New York Islanders would let him go after all. Tonight the Brooklyn Nets will have to play against the Washington Wizards without a real superstar.
Because as I will point out in my Nets Wizards tip, the former Big Three have been shredded. The Bullets, on the other hand, have a hard-working team that can be trusted with a second win over Brookyln in a week.
And he got to switch after all! James Harden all but forced Nets bosses to approve his trade to the Sixers in exchange for Ben Simmons just before the deadline.
Not an equal deal for Brooklyn, that much is clear – especially since the 25-year-old Simmons will most likely not return to the NBA’s big stage until mid-March. But as the saying goes: Better an end with horror than horror without an end!
Until recently, New York had managed to lose eleven games in a row before the spell was finally broken with two victories over the Kings and Knicks. But will the success last?
Washington had already won a game against the Nets less than a week ago, which incidentally was also my prediction. This time, however, the Wizards should paradoxically have it easier as guests in New York.
In the razor-thin 113-112 win, Kyre Irving was by far the Nets’ best player! With 31 points, the only member of the short-lived “Brooklyn Big Three” caused quite a ruckus under the Bullets’ basket.
However, the best player on that night will not be able to play due to his vaccination status. So the home side will send a trimmed-down starting five onto the floor tonight, which will most likely include Kessler Edwards once again.
Kessler Edwards has moved into the starting line-up since the beginning of February due to the many absences. However, in his first NBA season, the rookie has been chance death personified and a liability for New York’s offense.
Edwards has not scored a single point in over half (4) of the last seven games for Brooklyn. As a result, the visitors from Washington certainly have a real chance of repeating their success from the previous week.
The Bullets also have to deal with a huge setback due to the injury to Bradley Beal, but the Wizards already had the edge in the last meeting – and that without Beal, mind you.
I make no bones about the fact that Beal’s injury has greatly reduced the Wizards’ long-term playoff chances – even though Washington certainly took a hit with the trade of Kristaps Porzingis!
However, Porzingis can’t be considered for my Nets Wizards tip, as the Latvian won’t be able to make his debut for his new employer until after the All-Star Break. Nevertheless, the guests still convince me.
The Bullets lost their last game against the Pacers with 108:113, but the two ex-Lakers Kyler Kuzma (26) and Caldwell-Pope (27) played a strong game – if they play this well again, I am confident of a victory over the Nets!
In any case, I think the odds of 1.60 on New York to win are way too low considering the fact that the men in black & white have lost eleven of their last thirteen NBA games!
A Wizards win is even more likely in my eyes than it was a week ago and is being traded on the betting markets at odds of around 2.50 at the moment!
Conclusion: The Brooklyn Nets have finally managed to get back on the winning track after their eleven consecutive defeats. Because after the trade of Harden, two victories were promptly achieved!
The Wizards are severely weakened without Bradley Beal, but they were already weakened a week ago in the win over the Nets! On the opposite side, an outstanding Kyre Irving was still raging, but he is not allowed into the Barclays Center tonight.
But the second suit is not very convincing with players like Kessler Edwards, which is why I expect the Bullets to win again – especially since they will have to deal with a weaker New York starting five compared to the last duel.
My Nets Wizards tip: Guest win!
