Knicks vs. Nets: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Knicks vs. Nets Odds
| Knicks Odds | +2 |
| Nets Odds | -2 |
| Over/Under | 223 |
| Date | Sat, Jan. 28 |
| Time | 5:30 p.m. |
| TV | ABC |
NBA Rivalry Week will continue on Saturday with the Battle of New York between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. Entering play, the Knicks (27-23) own the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference, with the Nets (29-19) three spots ahead of them in the standings. In this matchup, oddsmakers are expecting a close game, pricing the Nets as 2-point home favorites on the spread.
New York Knicks
Robinson OUT
Saturday’s tilt against the Nets will mark the fifth consecutive game that Mitchell Robinson has missed since injuring his right thumb. If we include the Knicks’ January 18 game against the Washington Wizards, in which Robinson played only nine minutes before getting hurt, the team is 2-3 in his absence. However, both of their wins in that span have come against notable opponents – the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.
Per Cleaning the Glass, New York ranks in the 90th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 79th percentile in defensive efficiency with Robinson on the floor this season, compared to the 53rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 24th percentile in defensive efficiency with him on the sidelines.
Randle playing at a high level
Across his last six games, Julius Randle is averaging 27.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. During that stretch, he is shooting 47.1% from the field, 36.5% from beyond-the-arc, and is averaging 21.2 rebound chances per game – which ranks fifth in the entire NBA since January 18.
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Brooklyn Nets
Durant OUT
Kevin Durant will be in street clothes once again on Saturday as he continues to work his way back from a right knee injury. Since he last played on January 8, Brooklyn is 2-6 overall, ranking 23rd out of 30 teams in Net Rating. In Durant’s absence, the Nets have struggled mightily to put the ball in the basket, scoring only 113.2 points per 100 possessions.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Brooklyn ranks in the 91st percentile in offensive efficiency and the 71st percentile in defensive efficiency this season with Durant on the floor, compared to the 20th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 51st percentile in defensive efficiency with him on the sidelines.
Who will step up for Brooklyn?
According to CourtIQ, Kyrie Irving (+4.3%) and Seth Curry (+3.8%) see the largest increase in usage when Durant is not on the floor. In these situations, Irving is averaging 30.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per 36 minutes of action. Curry is averaging 19.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per 36 minutes.
In eight games since Durant last played, Irving is averaging a team-high 32.1 points per game on 48.8% shooting from the field and 41.5% shooting from three-point territory. He is attempting nearly double the number of shots as any other player on the roster in that span.
Knicks vs. Nets – Picks & Predictions
Despite back-to-back wins over the Cavaliers and Celtics, the Knicks remain a deeply flawed team with Mitchell Robinson not in uniform. The Nets have won the last eight meetings between these two franchises, including a 112-85 win over the Knicks on November 9 – the first game with Jacque Vaughn as head coach. On Saturday, bettors should expect that streak to continue.
PICK: Nets ML (-126, FanDuel)
Image Credit: Imagn