Merely staying inside a spread (which the Nets have done five straight) might be a bit harder tonight for Brooklyn, which is going to have to win this one outright for their backers to collect...a tall order, perhaps, for a team that's lost 13 of 15. A list of recent foes, however, reads like a playoff lineup...Lakers, Cavs, Hawks, Celtics twice, Pacers twice, and in each of those games, Brooklyn covered the spread. The Nets do not seem to miss top scorer Cam Thomas, as they have embraced a more-patient approach from HC Jordi Fernandez. Different Nets have stepped up lately, too; it was Zaire Williams and Trendon Watford, respectively, pacing the two near-misses but covers at Indiana in the past four days. Meanwhile the depleted Mavs have lost 9 of 11 and most of their frontline is still sidelined, though Anthony Davis is reportedly getting close to a return. Play Nets