Washington Wizards @ Brooklyn Nets +3.5 (-120)
Barclays Center, New York City, New York
December 23, 2015, 4PM EST
The Nets are a live dog at home versus a banged up Wizards team. Two of our simulation-based indicators see Brooklyn dispatching the Wizards this aftrnoon with a loss. The remaining two sim routines in our stable, as well as power rankings and sentiment-based factors all anticipate a home cover.
Brooklyn is 17-12 ATS, and the Nets have beat the number in each of their last two out. The 14-13 (ATS) Wizards are likwise riding a three-game win streak compared to the betitng line, shorthanded as they are.
In head-to-head play, Washington has had the advantage since 2010, covering in 12 of the 20 meetings with Brooklyn. The Wizards are comfortable laying points to the Nets too, as Washington is 6-3 against the spread over the last five years when cast as the favorite. However, their 6-4 record against the number in their own building suggests the Nets have been solid at home over this span.
More recent history is mixed, as the last four meeting were split, with both teams winning on the road and at home.
Depsite the less than supportive betting trends, we think the Nets, who have been the more dependable from a betting perspective, will keep their streak alive with a home cover. And while we are alert to the possibility of an upset, such an outcome does not garner adequate support to compel us to play the moneyline. Take the home team plus the points.
Per OddsShark, the betting line opened at Brooklyn +2. Wizard-backers have since bid the number to 2.5 (61% of spread bettors are siding with Washington).
Happy betting!!