NBA picks, best bets Monday

The Brooklyn Nets continue their five-game road trip Monday night, hoping to end a losing streak against the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies.

The Nets hung around the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday before dropping a 101-86 decision, marking their fourth straight defeat.

Brooklyn hasn’t busted the 100-point mark in any of its last three games, while both defeats under interim head coach Kevin Ollie have come by double digits.

The Grizzlies have run out of bodies this season after winning the Southwest Division title a year ago.

It started with star guard Ja Morant getting suspended for 25 games to begin the season, followed by a shoulder injury that sidelined him after a short return.

Various injuries have pushed the Grizzlies out of playoff contention in the Western Conference, but Memphis has managed four consecutive covers, including a shocking victory over Milwaukee prior to the All-Star break.

Nets vs. Grizzlies odds

Nets vs. Grizzlies prediction

(8 p.m. ET, YES Network)

Due to Brooklyn’s scoring woes, taking the under has been a winning proposition lately; the Nets have cashed in seven of their last eight games. 

With the exception of torching San Antonio for 123, Brooklyn has been limited to 110 or fewer points seven times in the aforementioned eight-game stretch.

The home team won both matchups last season, but that means nothing as Brooklyn’s victory at Barclays Center in November 2022 featured Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the lineup.

The Nets could be without Ben Simmons, who is listed as questionable after suffering leg soreness in Saturday’s loss at Minnesota.

If Simmons can’t play, Dennis Schröder would take over the point guard duties.

Betting on the NBA?

Brooklyn has failed to cover the spread in 14 of its last 16 road games, and there’s no reason to think it will turn around Monday. 

Pick: Grizzlies +2 (-110, Caesars)