Nets vs. Knicks Wednesday Prediction
The first game of Wednesday night’s ESPN NBA doubleheader will take place at Madison Square Garden where the New York Knicks will host their cross-town rivals the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET. Are the Knicks a good bet to cover as a 4.5-point home underdog?
Game Snapshot
555 Brooklyn Nets (-4.5) at 556 New York Knicks (+4.5); o/u 218.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: ESPN
Brooklyn Nets DFS Spin
Nets’ GM Sean Marks released a statement on Tuesday saying that Kyrie Irving remains away from the team due to personal reasons, and a date for his potential return has yet to be finalized. Marks’ statement also touched on the fact that they are aware of the viral video of a maskless Kyrie attending a large gathering for a family birthday celebration, and that they are cooperating with the NBA’s investigation into that event. With Irving clearly flaunting the COVID-protocols, neither he nor the Nets will be allowed to determine exactly when Irving will be allowed to return to the team, as he’ll certainly need to go through a quarantine period once he’s dealt with his personal issues, and a small suspension in addition to a fine isn’t entirely out of the question. Caris LeVert and Kevin Durant will continue to shoulder the load on offense until Irving gets back.
New York Knicks DFS Spin
Taj Gibson (health and safety protocols) is available to play in Wednesday’s game against the Nets. Gibson signed his deal with the Knicks on Thursday, but there were COVID-19 protocols for him to go through before he could be cleared to play. The veteran big man has completed the protocols, so he will be available Wednesday night. Don’t expect him to supplant Nerlens Noel as the backup center just yet, as he still needs to shake off the rust that comes with not having played in a competitive game since March.
Nets vs. Knicks Betting Prediction
The under is a perfect 9-0 in the last nine meetings between these two teams and is 21-5 in the last 26 meetings between these two teams at Madison Square Garden. The under is also 8-0 in the Nets’ last eight games when facing a team with a losing record, is 5-1 in their last six games as a road favorite and has cashed in nine of their last 13 games playing the second game of a back-to-back. On the other side, the under is a perfect 8-0 in the Knicks’ last eight games overall, is 7-0 in their last seven games as an underdog and has cashed in five of their last six home games.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: NETS/KNICKS UNDER 218.5