Nets vs. Knicks NBA Odds, Preview and Pick (Archive)
The Brooklyn Nets head across town to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. When crosstown rivals collide, which team is the right NBA pick?
Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks
Wednesday, April 06, 2022 – 07:30 PM EDT at Madison Square Garden
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have entered the season with championship aspirations but it has been a wild ride. The team started in a hole when they were forced to play short-handed through most of the season when Kyrie Irving could not play in home games. This led to tension between Irving and James Harden.
Harden forced a trade to Philadelphia. Now in a season in which they entered as the favorite to win the Eastern Conference by NBA odds, they are currently in a battle for position for the play-in tournament.
The Nets show the flashes of greatness that demonstrate that they could beat anybody at any time, yet they struggle with consistency. The Nets are 3-3 over their last six. That stretch includes losses to the Hornets and Hawks, who are both potential play-in opponents.
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The Nets probably have the widest range of outcomes of any team. They could be eliminated before the official playoffs start, or lift the championship trophy. The Nets need to improve on winning games that they are supposed to win. Another test of that ability comes tonight against the New York Knicks.
New York Knicks
The Knicks' season of disappointment and futility is almost at an end. After achieving the fourth seed in the East last season and making the playoffs for the first time in a decade, the Knicks returned to the bottom of the league standings. Tonight the Knicks have a chance for a bright note to end the season.
The Knicks will always be up to play their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets. Bragging rights for the fans are at stake, even though the Knicks season is lost.
The Knicks season was a disappointment, but there were bright spots. The development of RJ Barrett was a welcome development for New York Knicks fans. RJ Barrett leads the team in scoring averaging 20 points per game. It is only his second season and the 6'6" small forward has shown a propensity for being able to create quality looks. If Barrett continues to develop at the pace that he did this season, the Knicks have a future star on their hands.
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The Knicks Julius Randle has been a polarizing figure for the fans. After making second-team all-NBA last year with his breakout season, Randle regressed, especially during the first half of the year.
Randle's numbers and performance have improved during the second half but it's a case of “too little too late”. Randle might be on the move this offseason, as he is no longer a fan favorite or the face of the Knicks turnaround.
RJ Barrett vs. Kevin Durant
Julius Randle is not quick enough to cover Kevin Durant so a majority of the assignment will fall on RJ Barrett. While nobody can stop Durant, Barrett will need to keep pace with him on the other end of the floor. Durant usually avoids the tougher defensive assignment until the end of the game.
If the game is close, expect Durant to become the primary defender on Barrett at the conclusion of the game. If RJ Barrett is able to have a big night offensively and keep pace with Durant's scoring output, the Knicks have a great chance to cover NBA odds. If RJ Barrett does not have a big night, the Knicks are in trouble.
Best Bet
As bad as the Knicks have been this year, this is too many points of NBA odds for the Knicks to be receiving against an inconsistent Brooklyn Nets team. The Knicks will be fired up for tonight's matchup. The Nets can beat anyone, but they're also prone to lulls where they play down to their competition.
The Nets have a fatigue disadvantage as well, as they played against the Rockets last night in a high-paced game. The Nets' struggle with defensive rebounding can be attacked by the Knicks. The Knicks prefer larger players in their power forward rotations. This size will trouble the Nets and force Nets center Andre Drummond on the floor, which helps the rebounding but hurts the offense.
RJ Barrett can have a big night against the Nets inconsistent defense. It is tough to go against the great players of the Nets, but today's best bet is the New York Knicks +5.
NBA Pick: New York Knicks +5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.