The New York Knicks (28-39) visit Barclays Center Sunday to take on the Brooklyn Nets (34-33). Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we look at the Knicks at Nets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Nets are coming into this inner-city battle having taken down the Philadelphia 76ers in Ben Simmons’ return to the City of Brotherly Love Thursday – though he didn’t play. The Nets won by 29 (129-100).
Two night earlier, the Nets beat the Hornets by 11 (132-121). They have covered two straight games and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS) since the return of F Kevin Durant. They’re 27-38-2 ATS overall.
The Nets are 2-0 against the Knicks this season yet 1-1 ATS. New York is 31-36 ATS on the season and has covered 5 straight games after failing to cover in the previous six.
The Knicks are led by PF Julius Randle, who is averaging a team-best 20.4 points per game. He also leads the 76ers in rebounds (10.0) and assists (5.2).
Knicks at Nets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:08 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Nets -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +5.5 (-105) | Nets -5.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Knicks at Nets key injuries
Knicks
- SF Cam Reddish (shoulder) out
- PF Obi Toppin (hamstring) questionable
Nets
- C LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) out
- PG Kyrie Irving (ineligible) out
- PG Ben Simmons (reconditioning) out
[tipico]
Knicks at Nets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nets 115, Knicks 107
Money line
PASS.
The Nets (-240) are surging and at home, but the price is not worth the risk. Similarly, the Knicks are just 15-20 on the road and can’t be trusted to come out on top. Even their +190 doesn’t have enough value to make it playable.
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Against the spread
BET NETS -5.5 (-120).
The Nets have been playing very well since the return of Durant.
While they’re just 2-2 straight up, they lost to Miami and Boston, both games by 6 points. The Heat and Celtics are both legitimate title contenders. The Nets also destroyed the Sixers and Hornets.
Durant is averaging 26.8 points per game since returning, and he’ll be taking on a Knicks team that ranks 16th in defensive rating. They don’t make up for it offensively either, averaging the 27th-most points per game in the NBA.
Also, New York is just 15-19 ATS as an underdog this season. Brooklyn has oftentimes struggled to cover, but with Durant healthy, it should be able to get the best of the Knicks.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 224.5 (-110).
The Knicks don’t score a high rate, and they play at a slow pace. New York ranks 24th in offensive rating and 27th in pace this season, two figures that do not bode well for covering the Over.
The Knicks are 2-2 O/U over their last 4 games, while the Nets are 2-3 O/U over their last 5.
While Durant’s full offensive arsenal should be on display, Irving has scored 72 points over the Nets’ last 2 games, but he will be unavailable in this one.
Considering the Knicks’ style of play and the Nets’ potential inconsistency without Irving, I like the Under.
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