Knicks Host Nets in Crosstown NBA Rivalry
The New York Knicks faced the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, January 21, in an NBA Rivals Week matchup featuring one of basketball’s most lopsided recent histories between crosstown rivals.
New York entered the game seeking to break a four-game losing streak after falling to Dallas 114-97 on MLK Day, while Brooklyn arrived looking to snap a two-game skid following a 126-117 defeat to Phoenix. The Nets sit at 12-29 on the season and have lost seven of their last eight contests.
Knicks’ Dominance in Series
The Knicks have won each of the last 12 meetings between the teams, holding a commanding all-time series advantage at 118-112. New York’s roster entered the contest with no players on the injury report, while the Nets expected to get back Cam Thomas, their second-leading scorer, after missing their previous game.
Betting Predictions and Odds
The Knicks opened as 11.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 220.5 points. SportsLine’s advanced model simulated the matchup 10,000 times and called for 228 combined points, projecting the Over to hit with points to spare. The model predicted six Knicks players would reach double figures, with two exceeding 20 points, while forecasting five Nets to score over 10 points.
Defensive Concerns for Both Teams
Both squads struggle defending the three-point line, ranking among the bottom four in 3-point percentage allowed. The last meeting between these teams at MSG in November saw 232 points on the scoreboard, with each of Brooklyn’s last two games eclipsing the total.
The Knicks sit third in the Eastern Conference at 25-18, while Brooklyn ranks 13th in the conference standings.
