Finding excuses for a poor record isn’t nearly as tough right now for the five winless NBA teams as it will be in 10 days if they still haven’t found a way to end the slide. Words haven’t been necessary for bettors on the Indiana Pacers (0-2 SU/ATS) or Golden State Warriors (0-2 SU/ATS), as the blank, sink back in your seat, “Not this again” expression has said it all.

Even worse than those two clubs with a light schedule to start is the New Jersey Nets (0-4 SU, 0-3-1), whose four games have already stamped the team’s lack of firepower and permanent spot amongst the worst of the Eastern Conference teams.

The Nets had a 14-10 lead after the first quarter of Monday night’s game with the Charlotte Bobcats but slowly watched a second quarter evaporation turn into a full-blown third quarter drought when the Cats outscored them 20-7, going on to win 79-68 SU and cover the -7 point spread.

And in the Western Conference there is still hope Monday for the winless (as of publication) LA Clippers and Sacramento Kings. The Clip is currently leading the Minnesota Timberwolves 37-34 in the second while the Kings sit with a narrow two-point lead at the break over Memphis.

Any odds on which NBA team will go the longest without getting a straight-up win?

Online sportsbooks have yet to post such props as it is a little too early in the season to start pointing fingers just yet but it never hurts to have a little fun and make our own suggestions ahead of the curve.

1. Indiana Pacers: Finished last season 4-2 ATS but combined with a 0-2 ATS start the Pacers are on a 0-4 ATS skid. Their most-recent slump against the spread was in March of 2009 when the team went 0-6 ATS. Indiana (+4.5) hosts unbeaten Denver Tuesday night before traveling to New York Wednesday to take on the Knicks. The team could hit ‘Lucky 7’ for losses but a blowout vs. the Nuggets also might provide some road dog value for basketball betting junkies Wednesday.

2. New Jersey Nets: Most-recent run of success was a 5-0 ATS run in April but depending on your line against Minnesota in the opener, the Nets are closet to completely wiping that late-season success into the garburator. New Jersey hosts a Denver team that will be playing its second road game in as many nights Wednesday but the Nets are 1-4 ATS vs. Denver in the last five meetings.

3. Golden State Warriors: Most likely team to get off the shnide; the Warriors are home Wednesday to a tired Memphis team and stay put to take on the Clippers Friday night. Golden State played fairly well in its only other home game this season, losing by one to Houston 108-107, and after LA will go to Sacramento for a second-straight divisional matchup.

Pending results of the two late games Monday check BetRepublic.com for odds on the team to win the zero-award for longest losing streak to start the season.