Air Carter and the Nets visit CP3 and the Hornets

The New Jersey Nets (19-22 SU, 21-20 ATS, 21-20 O/U) have lost three consecutive games in the BetOnline Sportsbook including a poor showing in its 105-85 loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday.

The New Orleans Hornets (25-13 SU, 16-20-2 ATS, 15-22-1 O/U) have won two consecutive games, including Monday’s narrow 103-100 win over the Indiana Pacers, but are still in search of the consistency they displayed throughout the 2007-08 season.

New Jersey got another fine performance from rookie center Brook Lopez who scored a team-high 28 points and pulled down10 boards in the loss.

The Nets failed to cover the 6.5-point spread as its starting backcourt of Vince Carter and Devin Harris combined to shoot just 4-for-14 from the field for 12 points while sitting out the fourth quarter.

"I was totally embarrassed by our performance," said Frank, whose club has matched a season high with three straight losses. "It starts with me and goes on to our main players. It was an embarrassing start to the game so I decided to go in another direction."

The Hornets covered the spread as a 6.5-point favorite on Monday as all-star point guard Chris Paul scored 27 points to go along with nine assists while sweet-shooting veteran sniper Peja Stojakovic added 26 points in the win.

"It was a gutsy win," Scott said. "Tyson went down, Hilton went down, and not having David. If the game had gone on any longer we probably would have lost someone else, so for the guys to hang in there with some funky lineups … I thought they did a heck of a job on the defensive end, and through the fourth quarter."

"Chris is a great player, and as they say, great players make great plays," Hornets coach Byron Scott said.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey’s last 6 games on the road

New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans

New Jersey is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games on the road

New Jersey is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing New Orleans

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Orleans’s last 8 games at home

New Orleans is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home

New Orleans is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games

The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans’s last 6 games when playing New Jersey

NBA Odds

New Jersey Nets +5½ -110

New Orleans Hornets -5½ -110

Over 188½ -110

Under 188½ -110

Analysis: This pick is like taking candy from a baby as the Hornets are going to use and abuse the lowly Nets en route to an emphatic won over their opponents tonight.

While the Nets can score the ball this season, the team doesn’t have much interest in playing any defense, not a real wise choice when you’re playing Chris Paul!

NBA Free Picks: Hornets -5½ Points/Over188½ Total Points