Ricky Dimon
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We have a 10-game slate in the NBA on Wednesday and it includes a double-header on ESPN. That back-to-back duo begins with this showdown between the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets before the Golden State Warriors visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Both of those contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Nets-Rockets, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Nets -10 (-110)
Under 228.5 (-110)
Joe Harris to make 3+ three-pointers (-240)
Victor Oladipo to score 25+ points (+174)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That isn’t really the plan here aside from tipping Joe Harris to make his standard bag of three-pointers en route to a double-digit victory for the Nets. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That’s the case with tailing Victor Oladipo to reach the 30-point mark, which doesn’t correlate with a Brooklyn win or an under bet. However, the Rockets are so depleted that both of legs have a good chance of hitting even if Oladipo scores a fair amount of points.
Nets -10 (-110)
After dropping their most recent contest to the lowly Cavaliers, the Rockets have seen their losing streak extend to a ridiculous 12 games. Things certainly won’t get any easier on Wednesday night, when James Harden returns to Houston along with his juggernaut Brooklyn squad. With Kyrie Irving partnering him in the backcourt, the Nets’ firepower will almost surely be too much for the Rockets to handle. It’s just hard to see the home team keeping up. Houston has failed to exceeded the 100-point mark in four of its past five outings, which in this day and age of basketball is an unmitigated disaster. Brooklyn, on the other hand, is scoring more than 120 points per contest. Eric Gordon and Daniel House Jr. are questionable for the Rockets, and their absences would only make matters worse. Even if they do end up playing, this should be a rout.
Under 228.5 (-110)
The Nets rank 27th in the NBA in opponents’ points per game for the season, but they have really improved defensively of late (11th in the same category over the last 10 games). Of course, you can’t chalk that up entirely to stout defense. In the last 10 games Brooklyn is 26th in the association in pace of play. During this stretch they have held the Magic, Lakers, and Pacers below the 100 mark and the same could be the case tonight against the offensively challenged Rockets. Houston was never great at the offensive end of the floor even when healthy, and now head coach Stephen Silas’ squad is extremely depleted.
Joe Harris to make 3+ three-pointers (-240)
This is the safest play of the parlay, as the odds suggest. Harris has drained at least three triples in seven consecutive contests—including six on one occasions, five on another, and four two other times. There is no reason to think that Houston will suddenly slow him down. The Rockets are in the middle of the pack in terms of opponents’ three-point percentage and opponents’ three-pointers made per game. So it’s not like they are anything special…and it takes some special defense to deny Harris on the perimeter. With Kevin Durant still sidelined for the Nets, the former University of Virginia standout will continue to get plenty of usage.
Victor Oladipo to score 25+ points (+174)
In addition to the players mentioned above, Houston is still without Christian Wood. John Wall is the only reliable offensive weapon other than Oladipo at the moment. Oladipo has forked up at least 20 shots in three straight games and he will almost certainly be able to do the same against Brooklyn. He is averaging 23.5 ppg over the past two outings; it really wouldn’t take any more of an effort to get to the 25-point mark against the Nets. Yes, the Nets’ defense has improved—but that’s still not saying a lot.
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