If you're on Pine Sports, and are reading this article, you're most likely already aware of the absolutely destruction that Mikal Bridges has imposed on opposing defenses since being unleashed as a member of the Nets. Normally, I'd take the time to inform readers of all of the numbers that go into any given pick that I make on here.
I don't feel that it's necessary to get into ALL of the stats with this one. He's been the talk of the town since he started getting the usage that he deserved on the Nets. What's been the most impressive to me is his 3 point shooting ability. We did see glimpses of his scoring ability in general on the Suns, but he wasn't taking enough 3 point shots specifically while in Phoenix.
Here's a stat that may not know: EXCLUDING his last game (I'll explain why we exclude it below) Bridges has been shooting an incredible 43.88% since joining the Nets. That rate would put him at #5 on the 3P% leaderboard for the entire NBA this season, ranking one spot above the greatest shooter in NBA history, Steph Curry (no, I'm not comparing the two. I'm simply showing how well he's been shooting the ball since joining the Nets)
The reason I'm choosing to analyze this based on his Nets games but EXCLUDING the previous game vs the Cavs, is because he went 0-8 vs the Cavs 2 days ago. While reviewing that game, I watched each of his 8 attempts from behind the 3 point line. What I found is quite shocking... I found that Mikal Bridges is indeed human.
That game was clearly an off game. It happens to every single shooter in the league, and again, you know this if you're on this site and reading this article. All jokes aside, his 8 attempts were good looks for the most part. They were solid attempts and actually 3 or 4 of them were "in and out", so to speak. I'm shocked he didn't get a single one to fall, but if you go back and look at the tapes, it's clear what the cause was. Sometimes it's just not your night.
The good news is, he has 16 other games with the nets that show his true ability when it comes to shooting 3s. And, even if we do include his "off-game" vs CLE, he is still shooting a remarkable 40.6% from beyond the arc. THAT rate would place him at 26th on the 3P% leaderboard this season. Which, ironically, is actually one spot ahead another one of the greatest shooters ever to step foot on an NBA court, Klay Thompson (lol).
Additionally, what the first game vs the Cavs shows us, is his 3 point attempts are matchup-proof. He got 8 attempts off in a close game against the 2nd best 3-point defense in the league. He will get his looks no matter what the matchup is.
I suspect tonight will be no different. He will certainly get his full minutes in tonight, he's had a day off, and every game is a must-win for the Nets right, who are on the edge of the play-in seeding. Furthermore, the Cavs may ease up a little bit in this game, as they DON'T have much play for realistically. Their main goal at this point in the season is to keep healthy down the stretch and not over-extend their star players before playoffs. Which, they've been showing recently (see my Caris LeVert prop write up)
Finally, this prop is currently set at 2.5 (+115) on DraftKings. That's a steal for us. If you consider the circumstances, the previous game data, and Mikal's overall performance since joining the Nets, this is actually a pretty bad line.
I'm projecting this closer to 3.3 3PM tonight in a game where scoring down low will once again be difficult to come by for the Nets. If Mikal gets up around the same number of shots that he did just two days ago, we will be in the clear here.
With implied odds of just 46.51%, we have an edge of around 15% on this play with the plus-money pricing at DraftKings. A lot of upside as well, and makes for a good ladder opportunity, if you're into that.
My Pick: M. Bridges o2.5 3PM (+115) DraftKings, play to even-money
Follow me on twitter! @TWBets_
If you're on Pine Sports, and are reading this article, you're most likely already aware of the absolutely destruction that Mikal Bridges has imposed on opposing defenses since being unleashed as a member of the Nets. Normally, I'd take the time to inform readers of all of the numbers that go into any given pick that I make on here.
I don't feel that it's necessary to get into ALL of the stats with this one. He's been the talk of the town since he started getting the usage that he deserved on the Nets. What's been the most impressive to me is his 3 point shooting ability. We did see glimpses of his scoring ability in general on the Suns, but he wasn't taking enough 3 point shots specifically while in Phoenix.
Here's a stat that may not know: EXCLUDING his last game (I'll explain why we exclude it below) Bridges has been shooting an incredible 43.88% since joining the Nets. That rate would put him at #5 on the 3P% leaderboard for the entire NBA this season, ranking one spot above the greatest shooter in NBA history, Steph Curry (no, I'm not comparing the two. I'm simply showing how well he's been shooting the ball since joining the Nets)
The reason I'm choosing to analyze this based on his Nets games but EXCLUDING the previous game vs the Cavs, is because he went 0-8 vs the Cavs 2 days ago. While reviewing that game, I watched each of his 8 attempts from behind the 3 point line. What I found is quite shocking... I found that Mikal Bridges is indeed human.
That game was clearly an off game. It happens to every single shooter in the league, and again, you know this if you're on this site and reading this article. All jokes aside, his 8 attempts were good looks for the most part. They were solid attempts and actually 3 or 4 of them were "in and out", so to speak. I'm shocked he didn't get a single one to fall, but if you go back and look at the tapes, it's clear what the cause was. Sometimes it's just not your night.
The good news is, he has 16 other games with the nets that show his true ability when it comes to shooting 3s. And, even if we do include his "off-game" vs CLE, he is still shooting a remarkable 40.6% from beyond the arc. THAT rate would place him at 26th on the 3P% leaderboard this season. Which, ironically, is actually one spot ahead another one of the greatest shooters ever to step foot on an NBA court, Klay Thompson (lol).
Additionally, what the first game vs the Cavs shows us, is his 3 point attempts are matchup-proof. He got 8 attempts off in a close game against the 2nd best 3-point defense in the league. He will get his looks no matter what the matchup is.
I suspect tonight will be no different. He will certainly get his full minutes in tonight, he's had a day off, and every game is a must-win for the Nets right, who are on the edge of the play-in seeding. Furthermore, the Cavs may ease up a little bit in this game, as they DON'T have much play for realistically. Their main goal at this point in the season is to keep healthy down the stretch and not over-extend their star players before playoffs. Which, they've been showing recently (see my Caris LeVert prop write up)
Finally, this prop is currently set at 2.5 (+115) on DraftKings. That's a steal for us. If you consider the circumstances, the previous game data, and Mikal's overall performance since joining the Nets, this is actually a pretty bad line.
I'm projecting this closer to 3.3 3PM tonight in a game where scoring down low will once again be difficult to come by for the Nets. If Mikal gets up around the same number of shots that he did just two days ago, we will be in the clear here.
With implied odds of just 46.51%, we have an edge of around 15% on this play with the plus-money pricing at DraftKings. A lot of upside as well, and makes for a good ladder opportunity, if you're into that.
My Pick: M. Bridges o2.5 3PM (+115) DraftKings, play to even-money
Follow me on twitter! @TWBets_
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