San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks Betting Picks, Predictions Odds & Lines
The Spurs will try to secure the final play-in spot in the West when they visit the Knicks on Thursday evening. San Antonio is currently 2 games ahead of Sacramento at 10th place. They have been poor lately, but health issues to their main competitors have kept them in the playoff contention. The Spurs are on a poor streak of results, having won only 3 games out of the last 10. They’re now 33-35 SU and 37-30-1 ATS for the season. The Knicks continue to battle with the Hawks and the Heat for the 4th spot in the East. They did themselves no favors by losing 3 times in the last 4 games. Before the recent bad run, they lost only once in 13 games. New York now holds the 38-31 record. Against the spread, the Knicks are 44-24-1. The only other game between the two this season ended in a tough loss for the Knicks, with the Spurs winning 119-93.
San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks Betting Odds & Line Movement
The Knicks are clear NBA betting favorites in this one and the oddsmakers have set the -4.5 line. The total stands at 216.5.
Notes On The San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are clearly in a rut right now and rank in the bottom 10 in the league per point differential over the last month. Their defense has especially been poor lately. They allowed 120.1 points per 100 possessions in the last two weeks. During this span, the Spurs have allowed the opponents to shoot almost 40% from three and 49% from midrange. Now they face a tough challenge against the Knicks, on the second night of a back-to-back. In the previous 14 such situations this season, they picked up only 5 wins. Plus, they will play their 10th game in 15 days and fatigue will surely kick in. Last night, on the other side of town, San Antonio lost to Brooklyn 116-128. They went down by 15 in the 1st quarter and never managed to recover. DeMar DeRozan led the scoring with 21 points on an efficient 9-14 from the floor. Dejounte Murray and Patty Mills added 15 points each.
For tonight’s game, coach Pop will be without the services of Derrick White and Trey Lyles
Notes On The New York Knicks
The Knicks can finish anywhere between the 4th and the 6th spot and each of the remaining three games is crucial. Tonight, a lot will depend on the health status of several key players. Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock are all listed as questionable. Rose and Quickley are particularly important as they brought the much-needed spark off the bench. Derrick Rose has been playing some of the best basketball we’ve seen from him in years. The Knicks are 22-11 since his arrival. Last time out, the Knicks lost to the Lakers in overtime, 99-101. Julius Randle scored 31 and Rose had 27 points, However, no other player was in double-digits.
Besides the players mentioned above, the Knicks are also without Mitchell Robinson who should be ready for the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks Betting Pick & Prediction:New York -4.5
Even with some players out, the Knicks should be able to dominate the tired Spurs. Coach Pop may even rest a couple of players before the final 2 games. The Knicks have been an ATS monster at home this year, going 14-2 with an average margin of victory of 8.69 points.
