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For the second time this season, the New York Knicks will take on the Brooklyn Nets in the battle of New York. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Knicks-Nets prediction and pick.
The Nets hold an overall record of 26-13, and they are 21-18 against the spread. The Nets are on a four-game winning streak, with their most recent victory coming against the Detroit Pistons.
The Knicks stand at 20-19 overall and 22-17 against the spread. New York is coming off a blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Knicks-Nets odds.
NBA Odds: Knicks-Nets Odds
New York Knicks +8.5 (-111)
Brooklyn Nets -8.5 (-109)
Over 223 Points (-111)
Under 223 Points (-109)
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
If you could form a team that was the antithesis of the Nets, it'd look pretty close to the New York Knicks.
While they might not be as flashy as their in-state rival, the Knicks have found a way to get the job done more often than not this season. For the Knicks to be in playoff contention this far into the season is already a large step in the right direction.
How have the Knicks shocked the basketball world? With defense.
Under Tom Thibodeau's guidance, New York is No. 1 in scoring defense (No. 4 in defensive rating) while holding opponents to the lowest field goal and 3-point percentage.
Thanks to Thibodeau, the Knicks are playing hard-nosed defense for 48 minutes nearly every night. They are excellent at trapping opposing guards and making them grind for points.
This will be especially useful against Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
Another factor that helps New York keep opponents from running up the numbers is a slow pace. The Knicks average 85.8 field goal attempts per game, the second-fewest in the NBA. They excel at dragging opponents into slugfests where their offense can produce just enough to get a win.
Offensively, the Knicks will need a big night out of their All-Star, Julius Randle. Immanuel Quickley is probable and will get a big opportunity with Derrick Rose out and Elfrid Payton doubtful.
When Randle scores 27-plus points, the Knicks are 8-4. Against a smaller Nets lineup that is still without Blake Griffin, there's a good chance he can hit this mark.
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If the Knicks can slow the game and let Randle and RJ Barrett work for extended possessions, they have a great shot at keeping this game close. Quickley going off would also be useful.
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Nets will be using the complete opposite strategy of the Knicks tonight to get the win.
Brooklyn is at their best in a free-flowing offensive game. Their offense is nearly unstoppable when their opponent can't get fully set. The Nets rank in the top ten in the league in transition points and field goal percentage.
Brooklyn averages a hefty 120.6 points per contest, which is 15 points more than the Knicks. The Nets rank in the top ten in all of the following offensive statistics: Field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free-throws attempted and free throw percentage, and assists per game.
While the easiest way for the Nets to win is to blow teams out of the water, they have shown the ability to triumph when the pace is slowed.
In games against the Lakers, Clippers, and Heat, each team failed to break 115 points. This resulted in the Nets winning all three.
Still, the goal for Brooklyn tonight should be to quickly shoot New York off the floor.
If Quickley doesn't play, this puts an immense amount of pressure on Randle and Barrett. If it comes down to which duo can lift their team offensively, Irving and Harden hold a decisive upper hand.
The Knicks are missing one of their best perimeter defenders tonight in Payton. Against a Nets team that shoots 40.5% from deep, New York might not have the personnel to contain two All-Stars on their home floor.
Final Knicks-Nets Prediction & Pick
I think both teams come to play tonight in a game. Without Payton patrolling the perimeter, Harden and Irving are due for big nights. Just two games ago, the Knicks faced the second-highest powered offense in the Bucks and lost by 33. I'll back the Nets to continue the trend and pull away for the cover at Barclays.
FINAL PICK: BROOKLYN NETS -8.5
