NBA Underdog Pick of the Day (Knicks Can’t Be Trusted With Recent Struggles)

The Brooklyn Nets snapped their nine-game losing streak in their last game against the Sacramento Kings, and it came with Kyrie Irving unable to play in the game. 

They’ll look to make it two straight against a New York Knicks team that is just 2-8 over its last 10 games and has lost back-to-back games to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers. 

Yikes. 

The Knicks don’t have enough offense without RJ Barrett, and their defense has taken such a major step back this season that they have fallen out of the play-in tournament picture in the East. 

The Nets won’t have Irving, Kevin Durant or Ben Simmons in this game, but I think they are live to upset a Knicks team that has blown lead after lead over the past few weeks. 

First, let’s take a look at the odds via WynnBET: 

Nets vs. Knicks Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Nets +4 (-110)
• Knicks -4 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Nets +140
• Knicks -170

Total:

• 217.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Why Nets Can Upset Knicks

The Knicks and Nets are both bottom 10 in the NBA in defensive and offensive rating over their last 10 games, but the issue is New York is doing that with a relatively healthy roster until Barrett was hurt a few games ago. 

The Knicks have been terrible without Derrick Rose, as he is arguably the most valuable player on the roster considering the team was 24-11 with him in the lineup last season. 

Brooklyn, on the other hand, has a little more help with Irving and Durant out, as Seth Curry had a big game against the Kings and LaMarcus Aldridge is also back in the lineup. 

New York’s supporting cast has been suspect, with Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks both shooting terribly since 2022 began, and Nerlens Noel still not healthy enough to play. 

I think this game is going to be close, but I don’t trust the Knicks to hold a lead after they blew a 15-point fourth quarter lead to the Portland Trail Blazers G League team. 

Both of these teams are tough to bet on, but I’d rather the value of the underdog than laying the points with the Knicks. 

Lean: Nets Moneyline (+140)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.