The New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Spurs-Knicks prediction and pick.
New York is flying high as they've clinched their first postseason birth since the 2013 season. San Antonio has a chance to clinch their play-in birth with a win in this inter-conference affair. The Spurs came away with a 26-point victory in the only other meeting between these two teams this season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Spurs-Knicks NBA odds.
NBA Odds: Spurs-Knicks Odds
San Antonio Spurs +5 (-113)
New York Knicks -5 (-107)
Over 216.5 Points (-110)
Under 216.5 Points (-110)
Why The Spurs Could Cover The Spread
The San Antonio Spurs will play their second game in New York City on consecutive days. San Antonio was handed a 12-point loss by the Nets at the Barclays Center on Wednesday night. The Spurs will now play the Knicks on the back end of a back-to-back, which hasn't treated them that well. San Antonio is 5-9 on the back end this season. It's a big reason why the NBA odds have them as underdogs in this matchup.
With a win against New York, San Antonio will stamp their spot in the first-ever play-in tournament. It hasn't been entirely pretty for the Spurs this year as they've actually been outscored on the season in terms of averages. At 33-35, this team has scrapped its way to victories on the defensive end time and time again. They've been solid for bettors, going 37-30-1 ATS.
With a team that struggles on the offensive side of the ball, San Antonio will continue to lean on DeMar DeRozan to create on that end of the floor. DeRozan has had a solid season, averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. DeRozan has always struggled to shoot the three ball, which will ultimately be what drags this team down in the postseason.
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
The New York Knicks have clinched their first playoff birth since the 2013 season with the Boston Celtics loss on Wednesday night. New York has been the most surprising team in the league this season as they've rapidly improved in all aspects of the game. Julius Randle is close to a lock to win Most Improved Player this season as well.
The Knicks will be coming off of a tough loss in Los Angeles. New York led most of the way and the back-and-forth game ended up going to the Lakers in overtime. It seems that the Knicks just ran out of steam as they were up 10 with over seven minutes left to go in the fourth. Understandable for a team that just wrapped up a six-game west coast road trip.
The Knicks are thrilled to be back home at the Garden, where they are 22-11 on the season. New York is 21-11-1 ATS at the Garden and 44-24-1 ATS overall. They're one of the best ATS and with them playing at home in this one it's no surprise the NBA odds favor them. They have gone 18-5 straight up as a favorite in 2021 and will enter this game with the utmost confidence as they prepare for the playoffs.
Final Spurs-Knicks Prediction & Pick
The New York Knicks may have clinched a playoff birth, but they still have a ton to play for. If the season ended today, the Knicks would have a first-round date with the Milwaukee Bucks. That's not ideal for a club that would like to make a run and attract top free agents in the offseason. With the Spurs' inability to score the ball consistently and the Knicks smothering defense, look for New York's ability to hit the three at a high rate to be the difference.
FINAL PICK: New York Knicks -5 (-107)
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