After winning three straight games, the third-seeded Knicks still have a chance to finish second in the Eastern Conference ahead of the Bucks.
Since Milwaukee holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, the Knicks must win out and hope the Bucks lose their final two games.
The Knicks will turn their attention to the Nets on Friday night as Brooklyn tries to salvage a win in the season series.
The Knicks have won and covered the spread in all three games this season, a streak that dates back to their last five meetings overall.
As a result, bookmakers are now adding a tax to back the home team after opening with the Knicks as 10.5-point favorites. The market has now stepped in, inflating the point spread to -11.
Since there’s not much value at that current number, if you’re looking to back the Knicks, targeting a player prop might make more sense.
Nets vs. Knicks odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nets | +11 (-108) | +475 | o211.5 (-110) |
| Knicks | -11 (-112) | -650 | u211.5 (-110) |
Nets analysis
The Nets are playing better, winning three of their past four games and six of their last 10.
Despite their recent struggles against the Knicks, the proximity between the two teams helps to keep this rivalry alive.
While there’s nothing wrong with riding a streak, you also have to know when to get off one.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Nets will win this game, but they should be competitive.
Brooklyn will need to muck up the game as much as possible to have a shot in this matchup. The total is fairly low, at 211.5, and a low-scoring affair could benefit the Nets’ chances of keeping the game close.
Moreover, the prospects of getting swept by its cross-town rival should give the Nets some extra motivation.
Brooklyn also enters this game with a one-day rest advantage over the Knicks, who beat the Celtics on Thursday.
It’s worth noting that the Knicks are just 4-8 against the spread when on short rest this season.
Knicks analysis
While the Celtics did play their starters on Thursday night, they’ve had little to play for after clinching homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference and throughout the playoffs.
Nonetheless, the victory is still a step in the right direction for the Knicks, should they face the Celtics in the postseason.
The problem for this matchup against the Nets is the potential letdown spot against a team they’ve seemingly dominated of late.
These remaining games for the Knicks still feel like a test run as they try to get their offense back in sync.
Julius Randle won’t return to the team after New York announced that the forward would undergo season-ending surgery. As a result, the Knicks must establish another scorer behind Jalen Brunson.
Brunson, who led the Knicks with 39 points against the Celtics, is averaging 39.4 points and shooting 54.3 percent over the last five games.
The Nets are one of the few teams that have been able to corral Brunson somewhat, limiting him to 21 points over three games — 7.6 fewer than his season average
However, there is one player who can pick up the slack for the Knicks if Brunson has an off night.
Nets vs. Knicks prediction
(7:30 p.m. ET, MSG)
As good as Brunson has been, we shouldn’t lose sight of Donte DiVincenzo’s contributions. Since the start of February, DiVincenzo has averaged 20.6 points, roughly five more than his season average.
With the absence of Randle and the recent trades of Barrett and Quickley, DiVincenzo has emerged as the second-most crucial offensive player for the Knicks, a role he’s been fulfilling with great success.
After being on three different teams over the last three years, DiVincenzo might’ve finally found a permanent home in New York. It certainly helps that he’s surrounded by two of his college teammates from Villanova, Brunson and Josh Hart.
There’s tremendous chemistry between the three players, resulting in DiVincenzo playing with greater confidence. The Knicks desperately need a perimeter threat to stretch the floor, and DiVincenzo has been able to provide it.
The 6-foot-4 guard is shooting a career-best 40.4% from beyond the arc.
The Nets rank in the bottom half of the league in 3-pointers allowed (13.0 per game), and they have given up an average of 16 3-pointers in their last three games.
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While the Nets will likely focus on slowing down Brunson, DiVincenzo should be in line to pick up the pieces.
DiVincenzo is averaging 21 points and 3.5 assists through six games in April. With his points + assists prop available at 20.5, that number feels a bit short when you also consider he’s averaging 21.7 points and two assists in three games against the Nets.
As DiVincenzo’s usage continues to increase within the Knicks’ offense, taking the over with his points + assists prop is simply too good to pass.