New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets: Betting Odds & Prediction

The New York Knicks (41-28) host the Brooklyn Nets (26-44) in this crosstown rivalry, with the opportunity for bragging rights on the line.

The pair have endured very contrasting seasons, but victory for either team could have big implications for the standings in the Eastern Conference.

Recent Form 

New York Knicks

In a conference dominated by the Boston Celtics, the Knicks have emerged as a potential threat to them in the post-season. Despite suffering from multiple long-term injuries to key players, Tom Thibodeau’s team currently occupy the fifth seed, but are just 3.5 games back from the Milwaukee Bucks in second. They are in a battle to avoid the play-in tournament, three ahead of the Miami Heat in seventh, but are in a good position to finish strong as they have won four of the last five games.

They have been doing this without forward Julius Randle, who has been missing for 22 games with a dislocated shoulder. Big man Mitchell Robinson has been out since early December with an ankle injury, but Isaiah Hartenstein has filled his shoes well, with 8.4 rebounds in his absence. 

Despite losing their last game 113-100 against the Denver Nuggets, the Knicks are in good form, picking up a 98-91 win over the Sacramento Kings and a 119-112 win over the Golden State Warriors in the last week.

The trade acquisition of forward OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors has elevated the team since his arrival in December, especially defensively. With Anunoby in the lineup, they have a record of 15-2, which drops to 9-11 when he is out. He is currently nursing a recurring elbow injury and has no timetable for a return, which is a huge blow to a side who have enjoyed so much success with him. 

However, the star man is Jalen Brunson. The guard is playing at an MVP-level, and has led a short-handed team at times to many important victories. So far, he has averaged 27.5 points and 6.5 assists, and is the fifth leading scorer in the NBA this season. In a previous meeting with the Nets in January, Brunson scored 30 points in a 108-103 win. He should expect to see similar joy against a struggling Nets team.

At home, the Knicks have a record of 22-13, which has them at tenth in the league. They have scored 110.5 points per game, whilst allowing just 105, a stat only bettered by the Minnesota Timberwolves. They recently went through a three-game stretch of allowing less than 80 points in three consecutive games, against the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers (x2).

In doing so, they became the first team since 2012 to achieve this feat. Whilst it is unrealistic to expect this type of play to be sustainable, if they continue to play defense at such a high level, Madison Square Garden will be a difficult venue to visit, particularly in a playoff setting.

On to the next one 🔒 pic.twitter.com/xDPjUnDrki

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 22, 2024

Brooklyn Nets

It has been a campaign full of disappointment for the Nets. After trading away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in February of last year, they had optimism following the performances of Mikal Bridges in the back end of last season.

However, Bridges has been unable to kick on as a first option and the team’s poor performance has them in eleventh, 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks, who sit in the final play-in spot. 

Having fired head coach Jacque Vaughn in February, they have a 5-11 record under interim Kevin Ollie. There has not been much to celebrate for Nets fans, if anything at all, as they suffer through a five-game losing streak. It is a run of form that is unlikely to improve as they face a Knicks team who they have failed to beat in their last four tries.

Their latest game was a 115-108 defeat to the Bucks, in which their highest scorer was Bridges with 24. Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas also contributed with 22 and 21 points respectively as they kept it close. 

Thomas has had a mixed season, producing some excellent outings, but has also missed time earlier in the year with a sprained ankle. The 22-year old has averaged 21.5 points this season, and has emerged as a rare bright spot in a team that has severely underperformed. He has scored at least 20 points in his last seven games.

Bridges is also a top contributor with 20.5 but has dipped in form as of late, averaging 15.4 points on 35.8% shooting in his last five. He scored 36 points in their loss to the Knicks in January.

With their poor record, the Nets do not play well either at home or on the road. When they are away from the Barclays Center, they are 10-25. They have won two road games in their last ten. Their offense has been poor as they average 109.5 points, which puts them in the bottom five. Considering the Knicks defense they will be facing, a low-scoring game may be on the cards.

Prediction

Both teams enter this game fresh from defeat, but the moods in each camp could not be any more different.

The Knicks will be looking ahead, but the Nets continue to spiral as they drift further away from the play-in positions. Even without Anunoby, the hosts’ defense should be too much for their stuttering rivals to overcome. Brunson should dominate once more as the focal point on offense and lead his team to victory. 

OddsNow's Pick: New York Knicks to win (1/3 @ Coral)