We will have the ‘Battle for New York City’ in the NBA on Saturday, January 28, and here you can get the best Knicks vs. Nets pick and betting odds.
New York is looking for the third win in a row, while Brooklyn is hoping to avoid the third straight loss when they meet at Barclays Center. The Knicks are slight 1-point favorites on BetMGM NY, while the total is set at 227.5 points. These Atlantic Division and city rivals have met once this season, and the Nets won 112-85 at home.
Knicks surprised the Celtics in Boston
The New York Knicks (27-23, 26-22-2 ATS) responded to a four-game losing skid with a pair of victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Following a tight 105-103 home win against the Cavs, the Knicks edged the Celtics in Boston in overtime. New York had a double-digit lead with some five minutes remaining, but the Celtics managed to come back and even had a shot for a win, but Jericho Sims blocked Robert Williams’ attempt to force OT. Then the Knicks came from a 5-point deficit to win 120-117.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with a game-high 37 points and nine rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 29 points, game-high seven assists, four boards, and two blocks, R.J. Barrett had 19 points and four rebounds, while Immanuel Quickley scored 17 with five boards.
C Mitchell Robinson (thumb) is going to miss at least the next four weeks. SG Evan Fournier (personal) is questionable to play on Saturday against Brooklyn.
Nets were stunned by the Pistons in Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Nets (29-19, 22-24-2 ATS) returned home from a five-game road trip on which they recorded two wins and three losses and suffered a disappointing 130-122 defeat to the Detroit Pistons. It was Detroit’s first win in Brooklyn in almost five years, while the Nets allowed 130+ points in a second consecutive game after losing 137-133 to the 76ers. Brooklyn committed 16 turnovers opposite the Pistons’ 11, which was crucial in this loss. Also, the visitors had eight more rebounds (48-40).
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with a game-high 40 points (14-27 FG, 6-12 3PT, 6-7 FT), six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Nic Claxton posted a double-double of 27 points and game-high 13 boards with a couple of swats, while Edmond Sumner had 24 points and five rebounds.
SF Kevin Durant (knee) is out indefinitely. PG Ben Simmons (knee), SF T.J. Warren (leg), and G Seth Curry (knee) are questionable to feature on Saturday against the Knicks.
Trends:
New York:
2-4 ATS in the last six games
1-5 ATS in the last six games played on a Saturday
Brooklyn:
12-4-1 ATS in the last 17 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game
6-2 ATS in the last eight games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record
New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets Pick
New York and Brooklyn have almost identical offenses when it comes to points per game. The Nets do have a stronger defense, but after allowing 130+ in the last two games, they must improve defensively if they want to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Brooklyn allows 111.6 ppg, which is the seventh-best defense in the NBA. The Nets did keep the Knicks to just 85 points in the first H2H meeting of the season, and although I don’t think they will manage to limit the visitors to below 100 points, I am backing the Nets’ D to prevail in this one.
Pick: Take the Nets at +2.5 (-133)
The Total
I don’t believe that the Nets will allow 130+ points for the third game in a row as I am backing them to play a much stronger defense against the city rivals. Games between these rivals are usually low-scoring; none of the previous five H2Hs produced more than 222 points, and I think that is going to be the case on Saturday as well. Under is 12-5 in the last 17 H2H meetings; Under is 6-1 in the Nets’ previous seven games following an ATS loss, while Under is 6-2 in the Nets’ last eight Saturday games.
Pick: Go Under 229.5 points (-130)
