New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets Odds
| Knicks Odds | +3.5 |
| Nets Odds | -3.5 |
| Over/Under | 220 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here. | |
The first Battle of the Boroughs takes place tonight as the New York Knicks take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
The Knicks are coming off a decisive win in Minnesota on Monday after losing to the Celtics in a game that was relatively close considering Boston made franchise-record 27 3-pointers.
Which team will emerge victorious and claim the title of King of New York (at least until the next time they play on Jan. 28). Or more importantly, how can we make some money on this game?
New York Knicks
The Knicks have had a difficult schedule of late, going against the Timberwolves, Celtics, 76ers, Hawks, Cavaliers and Milwaukee in their last six games, all teams that made the playoffs last season.
Their record may not show it, but they played all six teams closely for most of those games. Despite going 2-6 SU and ATS in that span, it wasn’t late in the game when things started to break down.
The Knicks had a historic meltdown against the Cavaliers, blowing a 93-84 lead going into the fourth quarter. And while they were losing to the Celtics 101-96 to start the fourth on Saturday, it took the Celtics' historic day from three to pull away in the end.
However, some of that can be chocked up to the Knicks’ perimeter defense and the absence of big man Mitchell Robinson, who missed the last two games with a knee sprain.
Boston was driving to the hoop with ease without Robinson’s rim presence acting as a deterrent. This caused the defense to collapse, leaving shooters wide open on the perimeter. The Knicks were slow on rotations and Boston is a team that will make you pay, ranking eighth in three-point percentage and taking the most in the league, per Cleaning the Glass.
But despite that barrage of threes, the Knicks never felt out of the game. They just got out-classed by an elite shooting team.
Brooklyn Nets
Since Kyrie Irving’s suspension for signal boosting an anti-semitic documentary, the Nets have gone 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS, with their one loss coming down to the wire in Dallas on Monday.
The offense seems to be rejuvenated since Irving’s departure, although that could have something to do with their class of opponents. They rank seventh in Offensive Rating in the last three games (114.7). Their Defensive Rating is first overall in that span, however Washington and Charlotte both rank in the bottom-third of the league in offense.
In their first game without Irving, Brooklyn began a three-game road trip with a decisive win against the Wizards 128-86, a game in which Bradley Beal was held to only 20 points on eight-for-17 from the field.
Part of their success has been due to Joe Harris’ resurgence. After only playing in 14 games last year, Harris has played nine so far and is the most impactful offensive player for the Nets besides Kevin Durant. In fact, he has the highest differential on the team, according to Cleaning the Glass (+19.4).
Harris’ minutes rank in the 61st percentile or higher in offensive Four Factors (eFG%, TOV%, ORB% and FT Rate), and the boost he provides has been a saving grace for the Nets, seeing as they don’t have many knockdown shooters to pair with Durant.
Knicks vs. Nets Pick
Despite the teams’ disparate records lately, I think that’s more a result of their competition. Brooklyn lost but covered against an impressive Dallas team that made the Western Conference Finals last season.
But wins against the Wizards and Hornets aren’t anything to be impressed by. Without Durant this team would be in the lottery mix. The Knicks are deeper and can play competitively when Durant sits. And the Nets don’t have the luxury of an offensive facilitator when KD isn’t on the court.
Pick: Knicks ML (+115) or better
