The New York Knicks (7-24) take the subway over to the Barclays Center to play the Brooklyn Nets (16-13) at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Knicks-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Knicks at Nets: Key injuries
Knicks
- SG Wayne Ellington (Achilles) questionable
- PF Marcus Morris Sr. (Achilles) questionable
- SG Reggie Bullock (back) out
Nets
- SG Caris LeVert (thumb) out
- PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
- SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
- SG David Nwaba (Achilles) out
Knicks at Nets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Knicks 112, Nets 105
Moneyline (ML)
There are several reasons to stay away from the Nets (-286) moneyline. First, the Knicks will have bodies to throw at the Nets’ best healthy player, Spencer Dinwiddie, with two defensive point guards—Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina—and athletic dynamo Dennis Smith Jr. Second, this is essentially a home game for the Knicks who are the much more popular team in New York City. Third, the Nets have played the lowest ranked strength of schedule in the NBA this season, compared to the Knicks who’ve played the fourth toughest.
Bet the KNICKS (+230) with a smaller wager on the moneyline because we are going to hit the spread harder. New to sports betting? A $50 wager on the Knicks to win outright returns a profit of $115.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Grab the KNICKS (+7.5, -121) because they tend to surprise superior teams on the road—going 4-3 in away games versus teams above .500. In general, the rivalry has been competitive in recent years: the Knicks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against the Nets. Also, the Nets have played down to their competition at home so far this season. They are 3-4 at home against teams below .500.
Since we hit the moneyline for a half unit, let’s make a full unit wager since we like the Knicks to win and love them to cover. A $121 bet on the Knicks (+7.5, -121) returns a profit of $100.
Over/Under (O/U)
The matchup lends itself well for an UNDER (222.5, -121). Seven of the last Knicks-Nets games went Under the projected total. The combined Over/Under record for both teams this season is 26-33-1.
Also, both teams’ strengths and weaknesses align well for an Under wager. Neither team shoots well from three—Knicks rank 24th in 3-point percentage and the Nets rank 26th. Both teams do a good job of keeping their opponents from scoring in the paint—the Knicks are fourth in the NBA in opponent points in the paint per game and the Nets are ranked 8th.
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