New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets Odds and Picks

• The Knicks and Nets meet for the third and final time in the regular season on April 5th
• Brooklyn lost to Chicago on Sunday and faces uncertainty over the health of its star players
• Get the latest odds, betting preview and a pick below

The Nets and Knicks are set for their final regular season matchup on Monday, April 5th. Brooklyn has won the previous two encounters, but Steve Nash enters this game with high-profile absences.

Brooklyn is favored by 4.5 points over the Knicks for Monday’s game at Barclays Center. This line clearly takes into consideration the likelihood of the Nets being without Kevin Durant and James Harden. Harden has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue, and while Durant is believed to be near a return, he’s not expected to take the hardwood on Monday.

Blake Griffin may well sit out this game, too. This is the second night of a back-to-back for the Nets, and Griffin has sat out both of the previous games in such circumstances. The Knicks are without Mitchell Robinson (ankle).

Knicks vs Nets Odds

Odds as of April 5th

Nets Potent Offense

Brooklyn’s offense sits sixth in the NBA over the last five games. That’s including two games without James Harden and without Kevin Durant throughout.

LaMarcus Aldridge has slotted in seamlessly on the offensive end, scoring and passing out of the post with ease. Joe Harris, Jeff Green and Landry Shamet have been knocking down shots.

7 points in 9 minutes.

LaMarcus Aldridge looking like he's settling in on the Nets 👀 pic.twitter.com/FPjfu2hq9H

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 4, 2021

The Nets have improved defensively, holding around league average in defensive rating since the break. This is still an offense-first team, though, and their continued production even when stars are missing is a credit to Steve Nash.

Despite giving up so much in the Harden trade, a combination of player buy-in, smart front office moves and good coaching has allowed the Nets to build good depth. They are getting solid contributions up and down the roster.

"What's always impressed me about LA is his poise"

Kyrie Irving breaks down how LaMarcus Aldridge impacts the Nets offense pic.twitter.com/tRsS06Xezs

— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) April 2, 2021

This matchup is a fascinating one, however. Brooklyn’s offense faces one of its sternest tests in the Knicks, who are third in defensive rating over the last five games. Only the Lakers, Sixers and Jazz can boast a better defensive rating since the break.

Knicks Search for Scoring

Where the Nets can rely on their offense, the Knicks can do the same with their defense. Just as Brooklyn still has questions to answer night-to-night defensively, New York faces the same conundrums about its offense. Despite being an elite defensive team since the All-Star break, Tom Thibodeau’s team own a 6-7 record.

Julius Randle had his 14th game this season with 20 pts, 10 rebs & 5 ast. Only Bob McAdoo (17 such games in 1977-78) had more in a season in Knicks history. pic.twitter.com/wY8B4vIMCq

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 1, 2021

The Knicks have scored more than 110 points just four times over that span. They have failed to reach three figures on four occasions, too.

A roster already limited on offense has taken a step back. This was regression they could not afford. Julius Randle’s efficiency has plummeted – his true shooting was above 58% before the break. He’s down around 52% since the season resumed. Immanuel Quickley has experienced a similar drop off.

RJ Barrett with quick hands for the breakaway slam 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z0hXfaxRUs

— x – KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) April 1, 2021

Teams aren’t usually too concerned about scoring on Brooklyn. For these Knicks, though, putting up enough points to win games is always hard work. The hit and miss nature of RJ Barrett makes them a difficult team to predict on the offensive end. Barrett has scored 20 or more in four of his last seven, but also finished in single figures in two of his last four.

Rare Low-Scoring Game

Brooklyn have been one of the best teams to back the over with this season. The 217 total seems low for this Nets offense. Against the ultra-slow Knicks, though, it’s not unreasonable to consider the under for this one.

Crosstown battle. Time to lock in.

🏀: vs. Nets
⏰: 7:00 PM ET
📺: @MSGNetworks | MSG GO pic.twitter.com/yXgmTA079P

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 5, 2021

The Nets’ offense has been slightly less explosive of late, ranking 11th in offensive rating since the break.

They scored just 107 against the Bulls and 110 against the Hornets, two teams hardly renowned for their defense.

Thibodeau’s team continues to work tirelessly on the defensive end. With notable Nets absentees, and the Knicks owning the second-highest under percentage in the league, a low-scoring game looks the way to go here.

• Pick: Under 217 points (-108)

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