Brooklyn vs Utah: the Nets to Handle the Lineup Losses

Brooklyn has lost three of their last four games on their court to Utah. According to bookmakers, the odds of the teams to win in the upcoming meeting are roughly equal - in whose side the scales will tip? 

Kevin Durant's injury has dropped the Nets out of the top-6. It will be difficult to climb beyond the current 8th spot in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn has won 5 of their last 6 games, but they are 4 wins behind 6th place. Ben Simmons is unlikely to play the rest of the season. Kyrie Irving is still banned from home games. That's why Goran Dragic plays more than 30 minutes, although he has been out of the rotation at times with Toronto. When Seth Curry isn't feeling well, Patty Mills gets more time. Bruce Brown has become a core player. Joe Harris and LaMarcus Aldridge are still injured. Andre Drummond has become the starting center.

The recent win over a weakened Portland was surprisingly difficult for Brooklyn. The team suffered serious defensive lag, but the difference was made up only by the fact that six Nets players made over 50% of their shots. The final score was 128:123 in favor of New York. Durant was the match hero, with 38 points and 7 assists, but we can't ignore the contribution of Seth Curry, who made 7 three-pointers.

The Jazz have also suffered. They are not currently in the Western top-3. Now Utah is in 4th place, catching up with Golden State. Out if their last 5 games the team has won 4, losing to reigning Milwaukee. Mike Conley missed the recent game against New York. Bojan Bogdanovic, Danuel House, Udoka Azubuike and Trent Forrest are injured. In Bogdanovic's absence Juan Hernangomez got a lot of playing time. Clarkson and Alexander-Walker substitute Conley more frequently, although the latter still does not shine in the attack.

Despite the losses the team won the game against the Knicks - 108:93. Five players combined for 100 of 108 points, with Donovan Mitchell as the game's hero. Thanks in large part to Utah's leader, the team shot 37% from beyond the arc: Mitchell had seven made three-pointers and 36 points.

With 3 of their 5 wins coming on the road when Kyrie Irving was also on the floor, it's going to be tougher now. Utah is even more dependent on Donovan Mitchell now, especially with the loss of Bojan Bogdanovic. The Jazz are hitting worse from beyond the arc this season, and their 17 made three-pointers caused 108 points against New York. We shouldn't expect a blowout game. As for the winner of the game, the Nets' chances are good even without Irving. Kevin Durant has almost single-handedly made the playoffs, and there are plenty of good role players on the team these days. 

TelecomAsia Sport is looking for basketball tipsters. Contact jobs@telecomasia.net for more information.