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The New York Knicks will play the Oklahoma City Thunder in an inter-conference matchup on Friday. It's time continue our NBA odds series with a Knicks-Thunder prediction and pick.
The Knicks and Thunder will play on Friday as the NBA continues to navigate several players around the league being tied up in health and safety protocols related to Covid. Julius Randle is out in the protocols for this one as the Knicks will be shorthanded without some of their best players in this one. Derrick Rose also remains out with an ankle injury. OKC will be without a couple of their better young players as well as these teams each look to closeout 2021 with a win. The Knicks come in as road favorites over the Thunder in this one.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Knicks-Thunder odds for this Friday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Knicks-Thunder Odds
New York Knicks -4.5 (-114)
Oklahoma City Thunder +4.5 (-106)
Over 206.5 (-110)
Under 206.5 (-110)
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Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
New York should still have an edge in this one despite being without Randle. The Thunder will also be a bit shorthanded and remain one of the worst teams in the NBA this season. The Knicks have perhaps been below average, but are still far more experienced and better than OKC without Randle. The Thunder could definitely pull off an upset here, but Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier and company should be able to keep things rolling without Randle and pick up the win in this spot.
Fournier is questionable however so his status is something to monitor. Nerlens Noel, Derrick Rose and a few other non-rotation guys will be out for New York in this one.
New York vs. the spread
The Knicks are 16-19 vs. the spread so far this season and 5-5 across their last ten games. New York is oddly 6-2 vs. the number as an away favorite and 12-10 as a favorite overall. The Knicks have covered in three straight and five of their last seven games.
Why The Thunder Could Cover The Spread
OKC will be without Darius Bazley and Josh Giddey for this one, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is questionable. If SGA is unable to go, the Thunder may essentially have no chance of winning this game. If the star guard does play, there's at least some sort of hope that OKC could upset the Knicks without Julius Randle and Derrick Rose. Gilgeous-Alexander is the only thing remotely resembling an All-Star on the OKC roster and his availability (or lack there of) will definitely impact the final odds.
Oklahoma City vs. the spread
The Thunder are a solid 21-13 vs. the spread this season and 6-4 in their last ten games. OKC is 10-5 vs. the number as a home underdog and 20-12 as a dog overall. This could be a sneaky spot for another cover and win vs. a banged up Knicks team, IF Gilgeous-Alexander suits up.
Final Knicks-Thunder Prediction and Pick
Take the Knicks to win and cover here as they have been hot vs. the spread. OKC is a young and inexperienced team that will be missing key pieces in their own right. New York should be able to take care of business in this spot despite the absences of Julius Randle and Derrick Rose.
Final Knicks-Thunder Prediction & Pick: Knicks -4.5 (-114)