The Brooklyn Nets visit the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET. Both teams share similar struggles this season, with the Nets sitting at 12th in the Eastern Conference at 13-26 and the Trail Blazers in 13th in the Western Conference at 13-25.
This game offers a chance for one of these teams to end their recent poor form. Brooklyn has dropped five straight, including a tough 112-111 overtime loss to Utah on Sunday. Portland has lost two in a row, with a 119-98 home defeat to Miami in their last outing.
Brooklyn Nets Preview – Searching for Stability
The Nets are dealing with a variety of injuries, including Cam Thomas (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (ankle), and D’Angelo Russell (shin), who are all listed as out or questionable for this game. Ben Simmons delivered a solid performance against Utah with 14 points, nine assists, and six rebounds, while Tosan Evbuomwan led the team with a career-high 22 points.
Brooklyn’s offensive output has been inconsistent, ranking 28th in the league at 107.3 points per game. Despite their struggles, coach Jordi Fernandez praised the team’s effort against Utah, especially their fourth-quarter resilience. However, the Nets will need to step up defensively, as they allow opponents to shoot 47.7% from the field, ranking 27th in the league.
With the team openly acknowledging a rebuilding phase, Brooklyn will aim to focus on development while looking to snap their losing streak against a vulnerable opponent.
Portland Trail Blazers Preview – Injury Concerns Mount
The Trail Blazers have their own injury issues, with Jerami Grant (facial contusion), Deandre Ayton (calf), and Robert Williams III (illness) all sidelined or questionable. Anfernee Simons has been a bright spot, scoring 28 points in the loss to Miami, while Shaedon Sharpe added 22 points.
Portland’s offense averages 107.3 points per game, tied with Brooklyn at 28th in the league. The team struggles with consistency, especially in the fourth quarter, where they scored just 15 points against Miami. Rebounding has also been an issue, with Portland ranking 29th in the league at 39.9 boards per game.
Coach Chauncey Billups will rely on Simons and Sharpe to carry the scoring load while hoping Ayton and Williams can return to stabilize the frontcourt. Portland will need to control the pace and avoid late-game collapses to secure a much-needed victory.
Betting Prediction
Portland is a 6.5-point favorite, with the total set at 217.5. Both teams have struggled offensively, but Portland’s home-court advantage and slightly better depth give them the edge. The Trail Blazers should cover the spread in what is likely to be a low-scoring contest.
The predicted final score is Portland 108, Brooklyn 100. Take Portland to cover and the total to go under.
Pick: Portland -6.5, Under 217.5
