Brooklyn Nets vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview (11/17/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

Two teams from opposite coasts will clash when Brooklyn takes a trip to Portland to battle the Trail Blazers. Below, I cover the preview of this matchup, which includes the betting odds, projected starting lineups, analysis of both teams, and updated injury reports!

Brooklyn Nets Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds

Portland is a 1.5-point home favorite against the Brooklyn Nets, who are in somewhat of an organizational disarray. The Blazers have returned Damian Lillard to the lineup but still won’t have defensive menace, Gary Payton II, and Keon Johnson. Jusuf Nurkic and Justise Winslow should be game-time decisions. Brooklyn has not reinstated Kyrie Irving, even though he is reportedly in the final stages of being moved back into the lineup. To no surprise, T.J. Warren also will be out for the Nets.

Brooklyn Nets Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction

It was difficult to know what to expect from the Trail Blazers this season. Damian Lillard missed significant time last season due to an abdominal injury, and he’s not getting any younger, while the Blazers moved on from C.J. McCollum, Robert Covington, and Norman Powell. Trading for Jerami Grant and signing Gary Payton II were solid moves but nothing that should have moved the needle that much.

Yet, here we are. The Blazers are first in the Western Conference as of November 16th, 2022, with a 10-4 record; two of those losses came in five games without Damian Lillard. With Lillard playing, Portland boasts a 7-2 record and looks like a well-oiled machine.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are more of a reality show than an NBA team at this point. Kyrie Irving was suspended from the team due to an insensitive tweet that he was hesitant to apologize for, and now, Kevin Durant has somewhat stated that the current starting lineup of the Brooklyn Nets is inadequate.

Durant said, “Look at our starting lineup. Edmond Sumner, Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris, Claxton, and me. It’s not disrespect, but what are you expecting from that group? You expect us to win because I’m out there.” While it may be true, it does not seem like something that you should say about your teammates. This disarray will likely lead to Durant being moved at some point this season. Irving might even be moved, too.

In the meantime, I expect Brooklyn to be a borderline catastrophe. The Nets just gave up 153 points to the Sacramento Kings, an average NBA team by all accounts, and lost to the Lakers just a few days before. Durant’s comments will not improve this team; they only strain the relationship. I don’t often put this much emphasis on events that don’t take place on the court, but this is different. I’ll take Portland against the spread here.

Betting Trends

• Brooklyn is 4-4 ATS on the road in 2022-23
• Portland is 4-2 ATS at home in 2022-23
• The combined over record of these two teams is 10-17-2 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

If Brooklyn wants a chance at winning this road game against Portland, it will have to rebound much better than it has to start the year. Thus, each team’s frontcourt will be a deciding factor in the battle of the boards. See the analysis below!

Battle of the Boards

It is no mystery that Brooklyn has struggled on the glass; it gets mentioned by broadcasters during virtually every game. The Nets rank dead last in total rebounding rate. On the other hand, Portland has been a solid rebounding team, ranking seventh in total rebounding rate through the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

Jusuf Nurkic is a massive piece to the Trail Blazers’ puzzle, and if he plays, they undoubtedly have the advantage on the glass. However, if he doesn’t play, I don’t think Drew Eubanks significantly outperforms someone like Nic Claxton. I think Portland has the advantage if Nurkic can play, but if he doesn’t, Brooklyn can keep up on the boards. Advantage: To Be Determined.

Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup

PG: Edmond Sumner
SG: Royce O’Neale
SF: Joe Harris
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Nic Claxton

Portland Trail Blazers Starting Lineups

PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Anfernee Simons
SF: Josh Hart
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Jusuf Nurkic

Key Injuries

Brooklyn Nets Injuries: T.J. Warren (Out), Kyrie Irving (Out)

Portland Trail Blazers Injuries: Gary Payton II (Out), Keon Johnson (Out), Olivier Sarr (Out), Jusuf Nurkic (Q), Justise Winslow (Q)