The Oklahoma City Thunder (3-4) are in the Big Apple Friday for a 7:30 p.m. ET game with the New York Knicks (5-3) at Madison Square Garden. Below, we analyze the Thunder-Knicks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Thunder pulled out a 111-110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans as 8-point road underdogs Wednesday. Oklahoma City earned its win by getting easy buckets in transition (the Thunder outscored the Pelicans 27-8 in fast-break points) and dominated New Orleans from behind the arc (the Thunder shot 41.3% from 3 and the Pelicans shot 18.2%).
After starting 0-2, the Knicks have won five of their last six. They beat the Utah Jazz 112-100 as 8-point home dogs Wednesday for a third consecutive win. New York fought back from down 18 outscoring Utah 68-44 in the second half.
For what it’s worth, the Thunder have won three straight vs. the Knicks and have covered six of their last seven meetings. However, every other Oklahoma City roster had an All-NBA player running the show.
Thunder at Knicks: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:08 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Thunder +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Knicks -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Thunder +2.5 (-105) | Knicks -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 208.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Thunder at Knicks: Key Injuries
Thunder
- SF Trevor Ariza (personal) out
Knicks
- SG Reggie Bullock (knee) probable
- SG Alec Burks (ankle) out
- SF Kevin Knox (knee) probable
- C Nerlens Noel (ankle) questionable
- PG Frank Ntilikina (knee) out
- PF Obi Toppin (calf) out
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Thunder at Knicks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Knicks 105, Thunder 100
Money line (ML)
This is the first game New York has been favored this season and it’s in large part due to the fact that the Thunder have the worst offensive rating in the NBA and the Knicks have the eighth-best defensive rating. Furthermore, New York’s opponents have the lowest 3-point percentage in the NBA and Oklahoma City is 26th in 3-point percentage.
An edge I could see the Knicks exploiting is the Thunder’s weak interior defense: New York is ninth in points in the paint per game and Oklahoma City is 29th in opponent’s points in the paint per game.
Knicks’ leading scorer PF Julius Randle loves to attack the paint, which helps create open looks for his teammates. If the Thunder cannot adjust to Randle’s style then he could feast on the interior, but if they over adjust, Randle’s teammates are going to be wide open.
GIMME KNICKS (-150) for 1.5 units.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE SPREAD. You could play either the Knicks’ money line or spread, but since three of the Thunder’s games have been decided by two or fewer points, I’ll go with Knicks straight-up.
Over/Under (O/U)
Both teams have better defenses than offenses, are turnover prone, and do a good job defending the 3 while being bad at long-distance shooting. It’s noteworthy that the Thunder play at an above-average tempo and have the second-highest 3-point rate in NBA, so if Oklahoma City perfectly executes its game plan, Thunder-Knicks could scoot Over the total.
But it’s the lowest total on the Friday-NBA slate since these teams have a combined 5-10 O/U record. I lean UNDER 208.5 (-105).
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Hill speaks to Undefeated about U.S. Capitol riot, NBA bubble protests (Thunder Wire)
- Why Knicks made another smart move by signing veteran Gibson (Hoops Hype)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Thunder | Knicks
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