The Washington Wizards (16-15) travel to Madison Square Garden Thursday to take on the New York Knicks (14-17). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Wizards vs. Knicks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
These two teams come into this game with a few of the worst ATS records in the league. The Wizards are 13-17-1 with the Knicks 13-18.
Washington is led by Bradley Beal. With the league’s 23rd-best net rating at -2.4, the Wizards are worse than their record indicates. The Knicks also have a negative net rating, the 21st-best in the league.
Led by Julius Randle, the Knicks are just 2-5 over their last 7. They have, however, covered 2 of their last 3.
Wizards at Knicks 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 2:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Wizards -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Knicks -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wizards -1.5 (-105) | Knicks +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Wizards at Knicks key injuries
Wizards
- G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (health and safety protocols) out
- F Rui Hachimura (competition reconditioning) out
Knicks
- C Nerlens Noel (health and safety protocols) out
- G Immanuel Quickley (health and safety protocols) out
- G Derrick Rose (ankle) out
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Wizards at Knicks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 105, Wizards 103
Money line
BET on the KNICKS -105.
There isn’t much that separates these two sides, but the Knicks should have one mission, shut down Beal. The Wizards have lived or died by his play offensively. He’s averaging 23.3 points per game.
As for the Knicks, they don’t have a great three-point defense but are solid in the interior that plays to Washington’s weaknesses well. They aren’t a great three-point shooting team.
With Hachimura out, the Wizards may struggle to defend the versatile Randle, giving New York a slight edge. The Knicks have struggled at home, but similarly, the Wizards have struggled on the road.
I’ll take the home dog here.
Against the spread
PASS on the spread.
I like New York here, and I’d rather bet on them to win outright, getting the extra 15 cents on the dollar, than to lose by just one. The Knicks haven’t had a one-point loss yet this season.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 211.5 (-107) as both sides will be down key scorers. Given their reliance on one player to control their offense, both could struggle if Randle and Beal don’t get going.
Also, for both teams, it has been far more profitable to bet the Unders. The Knicks are 14-17 while the Wizards are 14-16-1 on the total, a combined 28-33-1.
I’d prefer the Under given the absence of key players, the season trends, and the reliance on one player.
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