Posted on 2/22/2008 3:00:37 PM

NBA Betting Free Picks - Carter and O’Neal Stuck In Purgatory

By Tim Furious

New Jersey Nets (24-30) vs. Indiana Pacers (21-33)

Friday, February 22nd --- Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana --- 7:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Indiana -5.5 (200)

The Nets have been stuck in limbo ever since dishing Jason Kidd in a deal that benefited the Nets in a huge way. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to move Vince Carter at the deadline so it remains unknown what their plans for him in the future will be. But with Kidd gone, the Nets 93.9 points per game average is expected to dip. Things don’t get much easier as they hit the road, where they are 12-14 ATS to face the Indiana Pacers.

As maligned as the Pacers might be, they are still averaging 102.4 points per game. Danny Granger, surprisingly, leads the team with only 18.0 points per game. The unmotivated Jermaine O’Neal, who was also not moved at the deadline, is averaging a paltry 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. Because of that, the Pacers have been getting crushed, going 2-10 SU in their last 10 games while managing only two wins ATS in their last seven. So why are they favored?

You have to wonder what the oddsmakers are thinking, especially considering that the Pacers are 0-5 SU against the Nets. On top of that they are 1-7 SU in their last 8 home games. This all goes without mentioning that they are in a three-game losing skid. So what gives?

The oddsmakers and betting community are wagering on how effective Devin Harris will be in New Jersey. Given time, and surrounded by the right type of talent, Harris will be an amazing player for the Nets down the road. But this is going from a team with Kidd at the point, who did everything, to Harris who is still young and trying to figure out the system. But Richard Jefferson (23.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per) and Vince Carter (20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per) are matchup nightmares for the stumbling Pacers.

Harris is a solid player who distributes the ball well. He is also a great defender, and will help shut down the perimeter. The Nets have a glaring weakness in the front court, where they are short on size and talent, but the high-flying trio of Jefferson-Carter-Harris will be tough for any of the Pacers defenders to handle.

The Nets are still 4-1 SU in their past 5 games, and despite going 3-9 ATS in their past 12 road games, I think Vince Carter is going to do everything in his power to will the Nets to victory. I hate the man. But he wants to be moved this summer, and will have to prove that he has what it takes to justify any team absorbing his $13 million contract for the next five seasons. Carter is the type of player that can still take over games when motivated, so expect him to prove to Larry Legend that he was an idiot for not taking him at the deadline (note – Larry Legend was smart not to take him, but I won’t get in to that here).

NBA Free Picks: New Jersey +5.5 (OVER)

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