Yeah, let's throw a small play down. The Heat have been a different team, mainly on defense, since Haywood Highsmith entered the starting lineup and are unbeaten since then. And they also get Caleb Martin, one of the 2023 playoff stars, back for the first time since the opener. Brooklyn is playing solid ball but really hasn't beaten a good team yet -- other than Miami with a crazy rally on Nov. 1. That was back when the Heat were in a major post-Finals funk.

Sharpe has astounding reb per minute numbers. And with Nik Claxton shadowing Bam, there should be enough minutes for Sharpe. I project 7.2 rebounds so I see value.

Bridges isn’t quite the scorer he was at the end of last year, and the line has not adjusted accordingly. Plus he doesn’t really rebound. Value here.

Cam Johnson dealt with a hamstring injury in the preseason, then suffered a calf contusion in the same leg in the regular-season opener. He missed seven games, but has been back for three. In all four of the games he's played, the 6-foot-8 Johnson has grabbed 5-plus rebounds. He played 29 minutes in Tuesday's 20-point win over the Magic, but played 35 minutes in Sunday's eight-point win over Washington. This should be a tight game throughout, so the Nets should use Johnson for at least 30 minutes.

The Nets won all three meetings with Miami last season, and Brooklyn continued that streak with a 109-105 victory in Miami on Nov. 1. The Heat haven't lost since, but I like the Nets to at least keep it close Thursday. Brooklyn lives and dies with the 3-pointer; Miami ranks third-worst in 3-point percentage allowed (38.6). While Brooklyn remains without Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons, the return of Nic Claxton has benefitted the Nets' defense. They allowed an average of 99 points in wins over the Wizards and Magic this week. Back Brooklyn to improve to 10-1-1 ATS.

Mikal Bridges was acquired by the Brooklyn Nets before the trade deadline last year in a blockbuster move that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. Prior to landing in Brooklyn, Bridges was primarily known for his elite defense was known an elite 3&D player. However Bridges proved to be a quality scorer and posted 26 PPG as a member of the Nets over the final 27 games of the 22-23 season. This season Bridges is scoring 20.3 PPG and I believe his current averages more accurately reflect his role/usage. Considering he has never pulled down more than 5.0 RPG this is a lofty number against a tough defensive squad (11th in Def Efficiency) that plays at the 4th slowest pace in then league.