Nets vs. Kings: NBA Picks and Predictions

The Nets continue their West Coast swing as they travel to Sacramento to tip-off against the Kings on Monday night. Let’s handicap this interconference matchup and keep covering our NBA picks!

Brooklyn Nets vs. Sacramento Kings

Monday, February 15, 2021 – 10:00 PM ET at Golden 1 Center

KD Sits in Sacramento

The Nets were without Kevin Durant for three games due to COVID-19 protocols before he returned to drop 20 points in a 134-117 destruction of the Warriors in hostile territory. But the reunion with his teammates didn’t last long after it was discovered Durant had tweaked a nagging hamstring injury and would be sidelined for the next two games, starting on Monday night against the Kings.

Since James Harden was dealt to Brooklyn from Houston in mid-January, the newest Big Three has played only seven games together, and head coach Steve Nash has been forced to construct 17 different lineups because of medical protocols and injuries. Durant has performed quite well this season after returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him all of last year. In 19 games this season he is averaging 29 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while the Nets are 2-2 straight up without him since welcoming Harden onto the roster.

Ran deep last night. Highlights from a big collective effort in the Bay pic.twitter.com/1dh5pcpDJP

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2021

Nevertheless, Brooklyn is coming off of a 17-point win over the Warriors due in part to Durant’s 20 points he bucketed in his first return to the Bay Area since leaving his former teammates for an opportunity to build another dynasty in Brooklyn.

"My time here at Golden State was so much fun," Durant said. "It was such a big learning experience, especially learning the game of basketball, a different philosophy. I'm going to take that with me for the rest of my life."

Wanna Make a Bet?

The Kings are currently 0-3 straight entering the fourth of a five-game homestand. Last night Sacramento turned in a lethargic 124-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in which they trailed throughout the entire game, with the exception of the first bucket of the contest.

After reeling off seven of eight victories, the Kings have suddenly fallen back into their old habits and are allowing 122 points per game during their three-game losing skein. Moreover, Marvin Bagley III may sit out again due to a calf strain that has caused him to miss the last two games.

But as bad as the Kings’ defense has been (118.7 PPG allowed - 29th) one thing the Kings do fairly well is score. They have plenty of options in the offensive zone as De'Aaron Fox is the real deal and Tyrese Haliburton is a bona fide Rookie of the Year candidate, but Buddy Hield must pick it up if Sacramento is to get back on the winning track.

Although Kevin Durant will be sitting, the Nets are expected to welcome veteran big man, DeAndre Jordan, back into the lineup. Jordan missed Saturday’s blowout win over Golden State due to personal matters but is expected to return for this Monday night matchup against the Kings.

The NBA odds at all of the best online sportsbooks are revealing the Nets as four-point road chalk in this one, and it’s hard to argue with that number being any lower considering they are catching their hosts on the second leg of back-to-back contests. However, there is a strong possibility they could be looking ahead to tomorrow night’s game in the desert against an emerging Western Conference power, the Phoenix Suns.

But the tipping point is the Sacramento defense versus a dynamic Brooklyn offense, even without KD. The roles in the backcourt have been established after Kyrie Irving surrendered his spot as the point guard to James Harden and declared himself to be the team’s primary shooting guard.

"We were all fine with it," Harden said. "For me, as a point guard, I try to get guys shots, and then obviously knowing where guys like the ball at. Kyrie's an unbelievable scorer. He can score from anywhere on the floor, so just making sure he's involved, and he does a good job of getting involved anyways."

The Nets have won and covered their last four meetings against the Kings and are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Sacramento. Let’s get on over to the best betting sites and lay the lumber with the road chalk and cash a ticket on Brooklyn.

Free NBA Pick: Nets -4 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

Nets -4(-110)

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*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.

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