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After a shortened break of just over two months we are already kicking off a new NBA season on Tuesday, with the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors set to start the show on opening night.
The Nets will finally get to see former Warrior Kevin Durant suit up for them after he missed the previous season to nurse an Achilles injury, and with KD in the lineup the Nets will feel they are title contenders. The talent is certainly there with Durant and Kyrie Irving, as well as a solid supporting cast. However, there are questions about how KD will look after his Achilles tear – the worst injury in basketball. Chemistry is also a question mark, with Durant and Irving both mercurial individuals.
The Warriors, after 5 consecutive trips to the finals and three championships, fell apart last season. It was understandable though. Durant left, while Steph Curry and Klay Thompson missed virtually the entire year. It was a season of sacrifice, which allowed Golden State to draft James Wiseman with the number two pick, and the team was supposed to reload and get back to competing for a title in this campaign. Unfortunately, Klay Thompson suffered another injury in pre season and he will miss another year.
Team news: The big news is that Draymond Green is likely to miss the game for the Warriors. He is listed as doubtful, but coach Kerr said he does not expect Green to suit up. That will be a big blow for the Warriors. (update: Green is officially out).
Golden State might not be able to return to the Finals without Klay Thompson, but they are still a force to be reckoned with. They are underrated and have the tools to make noise and surprise many people. A lineup of Curry, Oubre Jr, Wiggins, Green and Wiseman, with a couple of solid bench pices, is no joke – people forget the brilliance of Steph Curry. However, the Warriors need everybody. They can’t afford any more injuries, especially not to Curry and Green. Their health is vital for Golden State.
The Warriors can’t miss Klay AND Draymond and expect to be competitive, so this could be a tough start for them in Brooklyn. You have to take into account that this is a brand new team. Wiggins, Oubre Jr, Wiseman, are all new pieces (although Wiggins got a run after being traded to GS in the second part of last season). They haven’t played together and haven’t played with Steph Curry. It will take some time for the team to gain chemistry, and it will be even harder without the leadership and playmaking of Draymond Green. His defense will also be sorely missed. He is just irreplaceable for the Warriors as currently constructed.
There are questions about the Nets too, and particularly about the level at which Durant will perform. However, it’s hard to expect anything less than brilliance from KD (also motivated to do well against his former team), and the Nets are healthy and have a nucleus which played together last season – much more than Golden State can say.
The Warriors would probably need some all time heroics from Steph Curry to compete in this one, and even that might not be enough. They just don’t have the required defensive capabilities and chemistry to stay in front of a Nets team which oozes offensive talent and can score on you in pretty much any way you can imagine.
I love the Warriors and have no doubt that Steph and the crew will prove people wrong once again this year. But the start could be rough, and on opening night they might get schooled by Brooklyn. My tip will be the Nets to cover the -7 (asian) handicap and I recommend taking the bet early, because the point spread should move up after the news of Draymond’s absence. Prediction: BKN Nets – GS Warriors 125 – 107.
Pick: Nets -7
Odds: 1.92 @ 10Bet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.36
Event date: 22 December
