NBA 2021/22 on Sunday, 06.02.2022
Are we witnessing the collapse of New York’s much vaunted Big Three? In fact, this currently unattractive spectacle could be extended by another chapter in the rematch between the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets.
Team spirit is currently written in small letters for the guests. What is capitalised instead are injuries. A Denver win, however, seems inevitable and we explain why in our Nuggets Nets tip!
Incredible what’s going on in the Big Apple right now. Namely, we’re witnessing the breakup of arguably one of the best teams of all time before their big time even really got going. But on the other hand, the Nets’ giant potential only ever existed on paper.
Brooklyn lost their seventh game in a row last night against the Utah Jazz, who, as we all know, are at best 80% without Rudy Gobert. Unthinkable for a team that was still considered the top favourite to win it all by the various bookmakers at the beginning of the season.
However, this negative development should in no way come as a surprise. For Durant is out, while the vaccine-averse Irving has missed an enormous number of games. The third in the bunch, James Harden, may even refuse to work!
The Beard was once again not on the floor in the loss to the Jazz. Officially, the guard cited an injury, but die-hard NBA fans will inevitably flash back to his time with the Rockets.
Back then, Harden made it unmistakably clear to the Texans’ officials shortly before the trade deadline that he wanted to switch by not wanting to play. And indeed, a possible Monstertrade to the Sixers seems to be on the cards this time as well, coincidence?
In any case, the mood at the New Yorkers seems to have reached a new low. The team unity of the beginning of the season has long since disappeared from the black and white team.
The Nuggets can now profit from all this disunity. Especially since they already managed a win over Brooklyn just under a week ago – and that despite the fact that the Black and Whites’ starting five that night at least still included Harden and Aldridge.
However, both players will be absent in the rematch, which is why the number three will have to start again in the centre position for the New Yorkers. Incidentally, this will result in the biggest mismatch of the upcoming game.
NBA superstar Nikola Jokic will only have to deal with Nicolas Claxton at the five. However, the talented 22-year-old is only a bench player and will probably have big problems from the start to successfully defend himself against such a giant.
By the way, let’s not forget that Nets players Nicolas Claxton and Kessler Edwards combined for 0 points against the Jazz. A completely indiscreet performance – even for two bench players.
The Nuggets, for their part, have lost three games in a row, but I am nevertheless optimistic that the knot will break tonight. Denver is convincing as a collective and only a few days ago was able to defeat a better Nets starting five.
Furthermore, New York have already lost five away games in a row. In four of these defeats, the deficit was always ten or more points. The Black and Whites have therefore certainly seen better times.
Accordingly, the home side go into the race with odds of currently around 1.50 to win.
If Claxton’s disadvantages in the direct duel against Nikola Jokic are not big enough to prevent the Nets from winning, the same betting markets offer odds of around 2.70 for this!
Conclusion: The Nuggets have been anything but outstanding lately, but there is no denying that they leave the better overall impression. Especially since they were able to defeat the Nets a week ago in a stronger line-up.
For the New Yorkers, meanwhile, the entire team is collapsing. The seventh defeat in a row and the subterranean performance of some bench players give an insight into the current plight of the black and whites.
Only he knows whether James Harden is actually injured. But regardless of that, the guests are already weakened enough as it is. Because the third centre, Nicolas Claxton, will hardly have a chance in the duel against Nikola Jokic!
My Nuggets Nets tip: Win Denver!
