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Thunder vs Nets: Can the Nets finally win?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are targeting the top seed in the Western Conference when they visit the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Friday night.
The Thunder are near the top of the conference
The Oklahoma City Thunder are second in the Western Conference with a 23-10 record. They have won 8 of the last 10 games, but are going to Brooklyn after a 141-138 loss to the Atlanta Hawks that ended their five-game winning streak. The Thunder are fourth in the league, scoring 122 points per game, and second with 50.2% shooting from the field. OKC is the best three-point shooting team in the league with 39.7%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the third-best scorer in the league, averaging 31.4 points per game.
Brooklyn has the longest active losing streak
The Brooklyn Nets are going through a difficult period and currently have the longest losing streak in the league. Falling in the last five contests, the Nets are currently 15-20 and seat in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The only two wins for the Nets in the last 12 games came against the worst team in the league, the Detroit Pistons. Brooklyn is ranked third in the league with 46.9 rebounds per game. They are also third with 92.9 field goal attempts per game but are ranked only 26th with 45.8% shooting from the field. Cam Thomas, who missed nine games with an injury this season, is leading the Nets with 20.8 points per game, followed by Mikal Bridges, who has 20.7.
Betting Trends
The Thunder are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games overall, 9-2 SU in the last 11 games against the Nets, and 6-0 SU in the last 6 games played in Brooklyn. The Nets are 0-5 SU in the last 5 games overall.
Player to watch
Chet Holmgren is the front-runner to win the Rookie of the Year award this season. The Thunder power forward has started in 33 games this season, averaging 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
Injury Reports
Lonny Walker IV, Ben Simmons, and Dennis Smith Jr. are out for Brooklyn while OKC has their full roster available.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Brooklyn Nets are struggling big time losing the last five games, but they are coming back home after a four-game road trip. There are not many reasons to be optimistic as the Nets are hosting the Thunder, the winners of 8 of the last 10 games. The Thunder are one of the hottest teams in the league with Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren dominating every opponent. The Thunder has been especially tough for the Nets, winning 9 of the last 11 head-to-head games, including the last six games played in Brooklyn. Given the current form, this will be an easy win for the Thunder.
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