Sports Betting Picks

New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets – NBA Preview – Jan 21, 2025

The New York Knicks (28-16, 3rd in Eastern Conference) travel to face the Brooklyn Nets (14-29, 12th in Eastern Conference) at Barclays Center on January 21, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET. The Knicks are looking to extend their dominance over the Nets, having won eight straight matchups, including two earlier this season.

The Knicks come off a 119-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks, while the Nets are reeling after a 127-101 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the Knicks fighting to maintain their top-tier conference position and the Nets in a rebuilding phase, this game presents contrasting team narratives.

New York Preview – Consistency Amid High Expectations

The Knicks have been led by Mikal Bridges, who scored 26 points in their win against Atlanta and has been pivotal since his offseason trade. Jalen Brunson has been equally impressive, scoring 34 points against the Hawks while maintaining his role as the team’s primary playmaker.

New York’s offense ranks seventh in points per game (117.0) and third in field goal percentage (49.5%), showcasing their efficiency. Defensively, the team holds opponents to 114.0 points per game, relying on strong contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns and O.G. Anunoby in the paint and on the perimeter.

The Knicks have struggled slightly over the last ten games, going 4-6, but their balanced roster and depth make them formidable opponents against a Brooklyn team in transition.

Brooklyn Preview – Rebuilding Continues

The Nets are 1-8 since January 2, a stretch marked by injuries to key players like Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons. Thomas, who scored 43 points in the first meeting against the Knicks this season, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. The team has also struggled with roster turnover, impacting their cohesion.

Cameron Johnson has been a bright spot for Brooklyn, leading the team in scoring in recent games. However, the Nets rank at the bottom in defensive metrics, including 30th in opponent field goal percentage (48.9%) and last in blocks per game (3.8).

With a seven-game home losing streak and several players unavailable, Brooklyn faces an uphill battle against a well-rounded Knicks squad.

Betting Prediction

The Knicks are 11.5-point road favorites, with a total set at 218.5. New York’s superior offense and defensive consistency make them the clear favorite to cover the spread. Brooklyn’s recent form and injury issues suggest they will struggle to keep the game competitive, especially against a Knicks team looking to stay near the top of the East standings.

Projected final score: New York 118, Brooklyn 102. The total could slightly edge over 218.5, as the Knicks have hit the over in 45 of their last 72 games.

Pick: New York -11.5, Over 218.5

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *