New Jersey Nets (13-27) vs Charlotte Bobcats (5-32)
The New Jersey Nets are enjoying another lost season. By the time you read this there could be some trades that have dramatically changed the look of the roster, but assuming that doesn’t happen what you see is a team with one really good player, one better than average player and a host of injured players – and not much else.
Nets vs Bobcats
Friday March 9
Time Warner Cable Arena – Charlotte, NC
7:00PM
Moneyline: No money line currently posted.
Spread: New Jersey -2
O/U: 192
New Jersey
It is no surprise that this team can’t get any consistency – only once have they won back to back games this season.
That one really good player is point guard Deron Williams who scored 57 points in a game just last week. Not noted for huge scoring when with the Utah Jazz, on this team, this year, he doesn’t have a choice. The better than average player is power forward Kris Humphries who hits the glass aggressively but is limited on offense. After them the roster is a bunch of retreads, the exception being rookie Marshawn Brooks, who was a big time scorer in college that is doing better than I expected. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Charlotte
The Charlotte Bobcats are an odd mix of talent – maybe a stretch. You look at their miserable record and you should not be surprised given this team is giving significant minutes to players who should probably not be in the league (including many I didn’t think were). There is absolutely no identity either as they are poor on offense and defense at about the same rate. Not much to look forward to in the future either.
I had to do a double take when I saw that shooting guard Corey Maggette is leading the Bobcats in scoring. I honestly thought that he had pinballed his way out of the league (and into jail) but there he is. Rookie guard Kemba Walker is proving that dominating in college isn’t a sure fire way to prepare for success in the pros and is joined by two other test cases in Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin. How many combo guards does one team need? I hate to say it MJ but some of the blame has to flow to you. These guys are awful.
Spread Pick: New Jersey -2
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: New Jersey 98 – Charlotte 90