Knicks vs Nets Odds, Lines & Predictions (Jan. 28)

• It’s the battle of New York on Saturday between the Knicks and Nets
• Brooklyn is still without Kevin Durant
• Who takes this East showdown? Read on for the odds, preview, and Knicks vs Nets prediction

Saturday’s matchup between the New York Knicks (27-23, 15-10 away) and the Brooklyn Nets (29-19, 13-8 home) might just be another regular season contest, but the battle of NY is never short of excitement and drama. The tip-off between the two foes is scheduled for 5:30 PM ET at the Barclays Center. Find the Knicks vs Nets prediction below.

The Knicks are coming off a huge overtime victory over Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Thursday, with Julius Randle continuing his torrid run. The Nets on the other hand lost to the lowly Detroit Pistons, but Kyrie Irving had another performance for the ages.

Knicks vs Nets Odds

Odds as of January 27th at DraftKings.

The Knicks are a slim 1-point favorite here with moneyline odds of -110. The Nets also sit at -110.

Brooklyn is absolutely dominating New York in recent memory, winning eight in a row dating back to January of 2021. That includes a 112-85 victory last November.

Randle, Brunson Leading Knicks

The offseason acquisition of Jalen Brunson has done wonders for the Knicks. The point guard is showing out in a big way, averaging 22.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds on 40% shooting from downtown. Randle meanwhile is playing fantastic basketball too, putting up 24.8 PPG, 10.9 RPG, and four RPG. The big man has scored 30 or more in three of his last four outings as well.

Randle was the leading catalyst in a statement win over the NBA-best Celtics on Thursday at the TD Garden, erupting for 37 points and nine boards. Brunson also added 29. While New York did blow a lead in the fourth quarter, they clutched up in OT, with RJ Barrett hitting a crucial three-pointer just before Jaylen Brown missed a pair of free throws.

JULIUS RANDLE OVER TATUM. 🔥

pic.twitter.com/4PHcObz2zE

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 27, 2023

That’s now back-to-back victories for Tom Thibodeau’s squad, also taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the week. The Knicks sit at 27-23 at the moment and just a half-game out of the final playoff spot.

Nets Missing KD

It’s practically impossible to make up for the loss of a player like Kevin Durant and needless to say, the Nets are feeling his absence. Since he went on the shelf with a knee injury, Brooklyn is just 2-8. That’s with Kyrie balling out of his mind, too. There’s just a serious lack of help from the supporting cast and it showed against Detroit.

For one, the Nets should never be losing to a team like the Pistons, Durant healthy or not. Secondly, outside of Irving, Nic Claxton, and Edmond Sumner, no one produced. Kyrie had another 40-point night, while Claxton dropped 27 and brought down 13 rebounds. Brooklyn shot just 34% from deep and to make matters worse, Ben Simmons left early with knee soreness. He’s questionable for Saturday’s affair.

On a more positive note, Jacque Vaughn’s team is still fourth in the East with a 29-19 record, much in part to their epic winning streak at the end of 2022. With Durant still out for a couple of weeks at the minimum, the Nets need to dig deep.

Knicks vs Nets Prediction

It’s hard to look past history, but I do think New York ends the losing skid against Brooklyn here. They’re in great shape at the moment, while the Nets are not. Take the moneyline.

Pick: Knicks moneyline -110