NBA
Brooklyn Nets vs Washington Wizards Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction, Feb 5, 2025
Kick Off Time: 07.30 pm, ET Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York SportsBoom previews the intra-conference match between the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards at the Barclays Center on Wednesday, 5th February 2025. The season is already past its midpoint and these two franchises have already resigned to the fate that they are destined to be lottery teams after below-par performances this season. However, they still are required to put on a professional showing. This is a dead rubber game on these teams’ playoff chances. Nonetheless, NBA betting fans will be looking at the odds to wager on by assessing the value offered by different NBA betting sportsbooks.
Cam Thomas and Jordan Poole//Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets will host the Washington Wizards in Brooklyn for their first meeting of the season. They will be looking to continue their recent dominance of the capital-based franchise. The Nets have had a poor season, a far cry from a few seasons ago when they were among the favourites for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. The Nets are a purposeless and disjointed franchise with no clear sense of direction. This season they have put in dismal performances, with a few decent ones in between. This has left them perched on the 13th place on the Eastern Conference standings, with a 14-33 record to boot.
On the other hand, the Washington Wizards are the worst team in the NBA, only registering six wins and their performance is nothing to write home about. Everything is wrong within the franchise who have one of the most immature rosters in NBA history. The core, Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, have failed to mature into leaders who can galvanize a franchise to success despite having already won a championship earlier in their careers, against the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers respectively. The reality on the ground is, this is another tanking season for the Wizards. If they are to restore honour and prestige to the team, they ought to make significant changes in the upcoming offseason.
Despite these franchises being lottery teams, you can still bet on them by placing your value pick on the best online sports betting sites.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Brooklyn Nets: 5/8 (1.63) - 61.54%
Washington Wizards: 13/8 (2.63) - 38.10%
Forecast Odds – Betting available on Stake closer to event.
Head-to-Head Record
The Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards have played 207 games in the regular season, with 108 victories for the Wizards and 99 for the Nets. In the playoffs, they have squared up only twice, back when a playoff series was a best of three. The Wizards claimed the victories on both occasions.
Over a recent five-game stretch, the Nets have dominated the Wizards with four victories against the Wizards’ one.
Last Five Meetings
| Season | Date | Result |
| 2023/2024 | March 27th 2024 | Washington Wizards 119-122 Brooklyn Nets {Over Time} |
| 2023/2024 | December 29th 2023 | Washington Wizards 110-104 Brooklyn Nets |
| 2023/2024 | December 8th 2023 | Brooklyn Nets 124-97 Washington Wizards |
| 2023/2024 | November 12th 2023 | Brooklyn Nets 102-94 Washington Wizards |
| 2022/2023 | February 4th 2023 | Brooklyn Nets 125-123 Washington Wizards |
Brooklyn Nets: Current Form – LWLLL
- Overall Record: 14-33
- Home Record: 5-16
- Away Record: 9-17
The Brooklyn Nets are at the bottom of the pile in the Eastern Conference standings, ranking in 13th place out of 15. They have been on a downward trajectory and are quickly witnessing their chance of attaining a playoff spot, via the play-in route, diminish. It seems they have resigned to the fate that nothing is attainable for them this season and they would wish for a better lottery in the 2025 NBA draft to begin the long rebuilding ahead.
With the 6th of February trade deadline looming, expect the Nets to dump expiring contracts and veterans to contending teams, in favour of draft picks and contract flexibility, with the hope of attracting a top-free agent in the offseason, since Brooklyn is a big market in the NBA.
Ben Simmons continues his fall from grace and seems to be on his last NBA contract, considering his deteriorating gameplay. D'Angelo Russell has taken over the starting point duties since arriving from the Lakers via trade. Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson and Nic Claxton continue to be key offensive outlets for the Nets.
The injury bug has wrecked the Nets and their top dogs are out, leading to their recent streak of 7 losses and things aren’t about to get any better.
In their recent matchups against the Wizards, they have been dominant and this game may offer a reprieve as both teams are among the worst in the league. However, with key players sweating for fitness, the nets may suffer a disappointing loss.
Cam Thomas and Corey Kispert//Getty Images
Key Players to Watch
- D'Angelo Russell: After a less-than-fruitful stint with the Lakers, D'Angelo Russell is back with the franchise that made him an All-Star. Russell had some remarkable games with the Los Angeles-based franchise but had a knack for disappearing when the lights shone brightest. He can finally play without expectations and get back to his best version of orchestrating plays and scoring.
- Nic Claxton: Nic Claxton may see his offensive role increase due to the Nets suffering injuries to key starters. Claxton will have a chance to double his numbers as one of the top go to guys for this contest. He is leading the team in rebounds with 7.6 rebounds as well as a team high 1.1 blocks.
- Ziaire Williams: Ziaire Williams has had some career games since joining from the Memphis Grizzlies. Although he has played most of his games from the bench, he may have a rare opportunity to start due to the Nets battling injuries on the wing positions. Williams is the team’s steal leader with one steal per game.
Brooklyn Nets Team News
Cam Thomas is sidelined with a hamstring injury and Cameron Johnson will have his ankle re-evaluated before this matchup.
Ben Simmons may sit due to a recurring sore back, while Trendon Watford may be back from his hamstring injury. Noah Clowney's left ankle sprain will be re-evaluated.
Bojan Bogdanovic is out with a foot injury and Maxwell Lewis will be on the sidelines after a fractured left tibia.
Washington Wizards: Current Form – LLLLL
- Overall Record: 6-36
- Home Record: 5-18
- Away Record: 1-21
The Washington Wizards have been downright awful and are currently on a 14-game losing streak. They lack direction and paint a picture of a franchise in limbo. They are the worst team in the NBA and are tanking, hoping to win the lottery for next year’s NBA draft.
The Wizards are dead-last on the Eastern Conference standings, with a dismal record of 6-39. The team is facing a chemistry crisis, with everybody failing to gel.
The offseason additions have failed to bring any impact as evidenced by center Jonas Valanciunas’s demotion to the bench in favour of rookie Alex Sarr. Jordan Poole continues to play selfish hero ball that makes him look like a clown on the court, a far cry from his days with the Golden State Warriors where he was a vital cog in their NBA championship win. His experiment as the face of the franchise has out-rightly failed.
However, there are still some positives within the organization. Bilal Coulibaly is developing into a solid two-player. Malcolm Brogdon, Corey Kispert and Justin Champagnie have offered a bright spark off the bench. Rookie shooting guard Bub Carrington has been a slow revelation.
The Wizards will hope this matchup breaks their losing duck as they can’t wait for the season’s end.
Key Players to Watch
- Jordan Poole: Jordan Poole is a pain to watch. Ever since his trade from the Warriors, he has been exposed as one of the most mediocre and childish players in the NBA. His production was expected to take a significant boost but that has not been the case. However, Poole can shoot lights out when least expected. He is team’s leader in points, assists and steals with an average of 21.2 points, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals.
- Jonas Valanciunas: Jonas Valanciunas is a solid veteran centre who goes about his business without much fuss. Although he was demoted to the bench in favour of rookie Alex Sarr, he is even with Sarr in points scored with 11.7 and he leads the team with 8.1 rebounds.
- Bilal Coulibaly: Bilal Coulibaly has seen remarkable growth in his game. His potential is great but he needs to continue putting in the work. This season, Coulibaly has developed into a decent two-player. The Frenchman is averaging 12.4 points per game, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals.
Washington Wizards Team News
Malcolm Brogdon is questionable to play due to a foot injury as is Marvin Bagley III who is rehabilitating a knee injury and Marvin Bagley III will sit this one out after suffering a knee injury.
Predicted Lineups
Brooklyn Nets Lineup
- Point Guard: D'Angelo Russell
- Shooting Guard: Keon Johnson
- Small Forward: Ziaire Williams
- Power Forward: Noah Clowney (Pending evaluation)
- Centre: Nic Claxton
Washington Wizards Lineup
- Point Guard: Jordan Poole
- Shooting Guard: Bilal Coulibaly
- Small Forward: Kyshawn George
- Power Forward: Kyle Kuzma
- Centre: Alex Sarr (Pending evaluation)
Suggested Bets
Always countercheck the betting line movement and injury reports closer to the even before closing your bet.
Washington Wizards to Win: Although the Nets have a home advantage, making them favoured, they are likely to face an upset from the Wizards, whose key players are expected to perform exceptionally.
Brooklyn Nets to Cover the Spread: The Nets have often put up dominant home-court performances, suggesting that they will most likely cover the spread against the Wizards, especially if it is within a moderate range.
Under 218.5 Total Points: Both teams have maintained a slower tempo in their games and have demonstrated inconsistent offensive performances. Therefore, this pick is a logical option.
Value Bets
These picks are based on current player and team performances and information. It is important to check player injuries and team news before placing your bets.
Nic Claxton – Over 9.5 Rebounds: Claxton has strong rebounding skills and in this game, he will most likely blow out of proportion in rebounding, given that the Wizards showcase gaps on the boards.
Jordan Poole – Over 14.5 Points: Poole’s season averages and scoring ability prove that this choice is relevant and a probable outcome, if he will be in the lineup.
Kyle Kuzma – Over 4.5 Rebounds: Kuzma has achieved an average of at least 6.5 rebounds this season, making this pick achievable.
Prediction – Washington Wizards to Win
Compared to the Nets, the Wizards have a better offensive game, as shown in recent games. Nets tend to front defensive struggles against teams with better-scoring guards, hence, the Wizards may capitalize on these weaknesses.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.
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