Really would have enjoyed this matchup if both at full strength to see unicorns Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson on the same court, but Zion is hurt yet again -- plus Brandon Ingram remains out for the Pels (a couple of key reserves are iffy), so I struggle to see them beating a full-strength Nets team coming off a rare loss.

After losing in Chicago on Wednesday to snap their 12-game win streak, the Nets should bounce back strong against a Pelicans team missing Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Brooklyn hasn't lost a road game since Nov. 25. And the Nets shot just 12 of 37 from deep in the 121-112 loss to the Bulls, a far cry from their usual 3-point accuracy. Royce O'Neal had returned from a non-COVID illness, going 0 for 8. He should be less rusty tonight. With the Nets leading the NBA in defensive rating since firing Steve Nash, I'll lay the points.