Today the Bulldog looks for the New Jersey Nets to cover as -3.5 favorites, when they matchup with the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Although the New Jersey Nets suffered their first home loss in nearly two months, they can resume their recent road surge when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers and Keith Van Horn, who will be facing his former team for the first time.
The Nets saw two of their winning streaks, 10 straight up and 13 in a row at home end with their worst loss of the season, 118-82 to Sacramento on Thursday. But they bounced back to beat Toronto 94-79 on Friday for their fifth straight victory on the road.
Jason Kidd had 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lead the Nets after he struggled to score 10 points Thursday on 5-of-17 shooting from the field.
Seeing Van Horn on the floor wearing a 76ers uniform should also help the Nets focus at the task at hand. Originally drafted by the Sixers in 1997 and then sent to the Nets in an eight-player deal, Van Horn played five seasons in New Jersey and was a starter last season during the Nets' run to the NBA Finals.
Van Horn, dealt to the Sixers during the offseason for center Dikembe Mutombo, is scoring 15.5 points per game to go with a team-high 8.2 rebounds. Mutombo averaged 7.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 16 games before heading to the injured list after wrist surgery.
The 76ers have struggled of late, losing six straight overall and four in a row at home, including a 107-105 defeat to Orlando on Sunday.
So why NEW JERSEY? Well, I like the Nets not only because they are the superior ballclub, but also because the 76ers are reeling big time. The Nets should be the 76ers' sixth straight opponent to score 100 plus points against them, while the Nets stifling defense should clamp down on a limited 76ers offensive attack.
Although the New Jersey Nets suffered their first home loss in nearly two months, they can resume their recent road surge when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers and Keith Van Horn, who will be facing his former team for the first time.
The Nets saw two of their winning streaks, 10 straight up and 13 in a row at home end with their worst loss of the season, 118-82 to Sacramento on Thursday. But they bounced back to beat Toronto 94-79 on Friday for their fifth straight victory on the road.
Jason Kidd had 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lead the Nets after he struggled to score 10 points Thursday on 5-of-17 shooting from the field.
Seeing Van Horn on the floor wearing a 76ers uniform should also help the Nets focus at the task at hand. Originally drafted by the Sixers in 1997 and then sent to the Nets in an eight-player deal, Van Horn played five seasons in New Jersey and was a starter last season during the Nets' run to the NBA Finals.
Van Horn, dealt to the Sixers during the offseason for center Dikembe Mutombo, is scoring 15.5 points per game to go with a team-high 8.2 rebounds. Mutombo averaged 7.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 16 games before heading to the injured list after wrist surgery.
The 76ers have struggled of late, losing six straight overall and four in a row at home, including a 107-105 defeat to Orlando on Sunday.
So why NEW JERSEY? Well, I like the Nets not only because they are the superior ballclub, but also because the 76ers are reeling big time. The Nets should be the 76ers' sixth straight opponent to score 100 plus points against them, while the Nets stifling defense should clamp down on a limited 76ers offensive attack.
