Playing content material 21+. The New York Submit might obtain an affiliate fee when you join by way of our hyperlinks. Learn our editorial requirements for extra info.
The motion on the faculty hardwood has dominated all weekend, however the NCAA is clearing out for the NBA with Knicks vs. Thunder on faucet for Sunday Night time Basketball on NBC. The reigning champions host the Knicks for his or her second and last assembly of the common season.
If this recreation is even remotely as entertaining as their first recreation, which ended on a missed 3-pointer on the buzzer that will have despatched the sport into additional time, we may very well be in for a thriller.
The sportsbooks don’t appear to suppose that may occur, nonetheless, with the Thunder listed as 8.5-point favorites at house. That’s simply extra of the identical to the Thunder, who routinely have been double-digit favorites all season, no matter their opponent, however it will be the most important unfold for the Knicks as underdogs this season if the road stays at 8.5.
Knicks vs. Thunder prediction, finest wager
There’s arguably no group in basketball extra confounding than the Knicks. In actual fact, which will prolong past basketball. The Knicks have spectacular wins in opposition to a number of elite groups: They’re 2-1 in opposition to the Celtics, Spurs (together with the NBA Cup), and Cavaliers.
However their losses at instances in opposition to the very best groups within the league have been loud. They’ve but to beat and even compete with the Pistons, they usually had been blown out by a younger Hornets group that’s surging up the East standings because the common season nears its finish.
It’s arduous to know what to make of this group at instances. On the floor, all the things about them says contender — they rank third on offense and ninth on protection, in response to Cleansing the Glass.
The Knicks might be an environment friendly scoring, dominant rebounding, low turnover machine once they wish to be (key phrase: need), however have quite a lot of nights the place it doesn’t seem like they wish to be any of these issues. They’ve been enjoying like a group that’s simply able to get to the playoffs, they usually’ll get a style of that tonight in OKC.
Betting on the NBA?
The Thunder are lastly getting wholesome and attempting to spherical themselves into playoff type over the ultimate two weeks of the common season. Their depth and protection have carried all of them season, they usually can survive poor taking pictures nights as a result of they drive so many turnovers and get simple factors.
That stated, sportsbooks have been pricing Thunder strains excessive as a result of they know the general public will chunk. They don’t cowl the unfold as favorites (32-39 ATS) practically as a lot as one would count on from the very best group within the NBA.
The Knicks have had two days to stew on their loss to the Hornets, and I count on we’ll see the model of the group that’s motivated. If that’s the case, this line is simply too excessive within the Thunder’s favor. I’ll take the factors.
The Choose: Knicks +8.5 (-110, bet365)
Why Belief New York Submit Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed within the sports activities betting trade since 2017. He’s an information nerd with a specific concentrate on the NBA and fight sports activities. He spends his weeknights within the winter in search of edges on plus-money NBA participant props.
