Action Network contributor Joe Dellera previews how to bet Friday night's matchup between the Nets and Pelicans.
The Nets are healthier and stylistically, they have an edge. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Even on the full-season numbers, the Pelicans and Nets are tied with +4.1 Adjusted Net Ratings, but now the Pelicans are without Zion. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. Brooklyn barely attacks the rim, rather they rely on midrange and threes for their offense. Generally, the Pelicans have been strong enough without Williamson this season to handle most teams; however, in this matchup, I think they will miss his size. However, he is clearly one of their best players and in a matchup against the surging Nets, his absence will be felt. The Pelicans have been solid this season even when they haven’t had Williamson. While CJ McCollum should assume more of the playmaking duties, the Nets’ defense has been strong enough at this point that I would lay off of his 6.5 They should continue this excellence even against a Pelicans team that holds their opponents to just 40.2% from midrange, fourth-best in the league. The Nets can do this because they just are elite from midrange with jump shooters like Durant and Irving. This team has started to gel and reach the potential everyone felt was there when Durant and Irving first joined forces.
NEW ORLEANS - Friday night in the Smoothie King Center will be an NBA heavyweight matchup when the New Orleans Pelicans (24-14) host the Brooklyn Nets ...
In his minutes so far, he can create his own shot and be a scoring threat off the bench. Chris Milholen: Those were the biggest questions heading into the season: How is this Nets team going to rebound from what occurred this offseason and when adversity strikes, how is this team going to respond? In terms of defensive coverages, considering the Pelicans are short-handed, do they throw doubles at KD’s way early or do they resort to that only in the fourth? How has his style of play fit with this team so far this season? On defense, he has shown he isn’t a liability and has pretty good footwork, especially in single coverage and in Brooklyn’s switching defense. He has simplified the game plan on both ends of the floor, and you can tell the players quickly bought into it. Chris Milholen: Although Ben Simmons’ season stats don’t come off as a star, he’s doing everything he needs to do for this Nets team to succeed. What is it about his coaching style that has the team responding so positively? Last week, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both said the focus has always been on basketball, and that everything that goes on outside the hardwood doesn’t affect the team. [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.si.com/nba/team/new-orleans-pelicans) (24-14) host the Brooklyn Nets (25-13). Both these teams are vastly different since their opening night matchup when the [Pelicans](https://www.si.com/nba/team/new-orleans-pelicans) won 130-108. In addition, Vaughn has held his players accountable.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Brooklyn is favored by 4.5 points in the latest Pelicans vs. Nets odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at ...
- Pelicans vs. [Visit SportsLine to see which side of the Nets vs. The model has simulated Nets vs. The model is leaning Over on the total, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to [see its picks.](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/pelicans-vs-nets-odds-line-spread-proven-model-reveals-nba-picks-predictions-for-jan-6-2023/#ttag=01062023_agg_cbssports_picks_basketball_nba_model_NetsPelicansNBAauto) Here are several [NBA betting lines](https://www.sportsline.com/nba/odds) for Nets vs. The Pelicans are going to have trouble replacing Williamson and Ingram, who are combining for more than 46 points per game. [Zion Williamson](/nba/players/3042398/zion-williamson/) (hamstring) and second-leading scorer [Brandon Ingram](/nba/players/2202503/brandon-ingram/) (toe) are both sidelined. The Pelicans raced out to a 31-point second-quarter lead against Houston on Wednesday before eventually notching a 119-108 win. Nets](https://www.sportsline.com/nba/game-forecast/NBA_20230106_BKN@NO/). Brooklyn is favored by 4.5 points in the latest Pelicans vs. The model enters Week 12 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 38-13 roll on all [top-rated NBA picks](https://www.sportsline.com/nba/picks/) this season, returning almost $2,300. [Brooklyn Nets](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BKN/brooklyn-nets/) will be looking to bounce back from their first loss in a month when they face the [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/NO/new-orleans-pelicans/) on Friday night.
1 / 21NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 6: Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots a three point basket on January 6, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center ...
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) 6 during the 2022‑23 NBA season. Brooklyn Nets game action photos from the Smoothie King Center on Friday, Jan.
Following their dominant victory against the Rockets, the New Orleans Pelicans will look to get a second straight win this Friday.
Without their two stars, I predict that New Orleans takes care of business against the Nets and pick up their second straight win. They have also listed the over/under line at 231. As many remember, the Pelicans won in dominating fashion. New Orleans dominated the Nets. Offensively, they need to shoot the ball well. That streak came to an end Wednesday night when the Nets fell to the Bulls 121-112.