NBA Sunday Tips: The Nets will trawl for a points blitz in Miami

The Nets have shaken off their melodramas to stride towards the top of the NBA Eastern Conference, but are they hot enough for their South Beach Sunday showdown with Miami?

Brooklyn Nets @ Miami Heat

Tipoff: Sunday 11.10pm GMT

The Nets’ season-best winning streak thundered to a halt against Chicago in midweek, despite a 44-point blasting from Kevin Durant. Yet there’s more joy than despair in Brooklyn. A team that was teetering on the brink of collapse two months ago has been resurrected under new head coach Jacques Vaughn. 

For all the flaws and potential for drama, they are a legitimate punt at 8.2 in the NBA Championship outright market.

Yet perhaps, it’s not time to hop fully on the Brooklyn bandwagon. During a 17-1 spell, only one real elite and in-form opponent – Milwaukee – was on the schedule with close rival Cleveland proving a rare polished pebble among falling rocks. Sunday’s trip to Miami does not bring the challenge their marquee brands might suggest.

The Heat has the least-productive offense in the whole NBA, putting up a mere 109.0 points per game entering this weekend, while lacking the familiar defensive magic as a counterweight. 

Since December 14, that average has leapt to 112 as injuries have subsided and adjustments made to the loss of PJ Tucker. However, in the past month Erik Spoelstra’s side has only beaten one foe presently sitting in the top six in either Conference: the injury-riddled Clippers.

Miami is a mere 16-18 when conceding 100 points or more compared to Brooklyn’s 19-12 record when they reach the century mark, a line they’ve not failed to cross since that streak-interrupting loss to Boston.

It points to the Nets on a viable handicap of -4, but, with a relatively benign pre-All Star slate, we might not truly see if there is a title on the cards in New York City for a while yet.

Prediction: Over 224.5 points @ 2.24

Portland Trail Blazers @ Toronto Raptors

Tipoff: Sunday 8.40pm GMT

The Blazer bubble has certainly burst. Following an unexpected 9-3 start, Portland won just 10 of their next 24 and are an abysmal 3-12 when trailing entering the fourth quarter. Help, as they head north to face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, has arrived on time.

The Trail Blazers finally got a debut from their off-season free agent prize, Gary Payton II, who sparked a 29-point drubbing of lowly Detroit. A champ last term with Golden State, his defensive chops will solidify a group that has given up just 112.9 points and outscored opponents by +4.3 over its last 15 games.

In that same spell, the Raptors have gone 4-11 - a collapse exceeded only by Charlotte - while shooting below 45 per cent with Fred VanVleet off-target and little help at centre. That points to a gap for Jusef Nurkic to exploit and for the Raptors to offer Portland another chance to strengthen its playoff push.

Prediction: Portland  -4 @ 3.15

NBA Sunday Tips

Portland @Toronto: Portland Trail Blazers -4 @ 3.15
Brooklyn @ Miami: Over 224.5 points @ 2.24