Knicks vs Wizards Picks & Odds (Feb. 24)
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- Washington is a 2-point home favorite in the Knicks vs Wizards odds on Friday night
- The Wizards are third in offensive rating over the past 14 games
- Check out the latest Knicks vs Wizards odds, plus injury news and predictions below
The All-Star break came at the worst possible time for the Knicks (33-27, 17-12 away) and Wizards (28-30, 14-12 home). Both teams closed the unofficial first half of the NBA season on fire, but have now had a week-plus worth or rest.
Online sportsbooks don’t expect Washington’s fine play to stop, as they pegged the Wiz as the home chalk over New York in Friday’s NBA odds.
Knicks vs Wizards Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +2 (-110) | +110 | OFF |
| Washington Wizards | -2 (-110) | -130 | OFF |
Bettors however, feel differently. The Wizards opened up as 2.5-point favorites, but that number has since been bet down to -2. The Knicks are still garnering the bulk of the wagers at the new spread, as 73% of the ATS tickets and 87% of the handle is currently on New York.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm ET at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, while the game doesn’t feature a total as of Thursday evening for good reason.
Odds as of February 23 at DraftKings Sportsbook.Â
Knicks vs Wizards Betting Trends
That’s because Washington’s leading scorer and franchise player Bradley Beal is questionable. Beal is injured yet again, this time dealing with a sore right knee. The 29-year-old has missed practice on back-to-back days and is in danger of missing his 23rd game of the season.
Bradley Beal (right knee soreness) did not practice again for the Wizards in their second practice post All-Star break
He will be questionable tomorrow against the Knicks
— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) February 23, 2023
Washington is just 8-14 without Beal this season, losing four straight. They’ve been outscored by 38 points during that stretch, and have won only once in the last seven games that he’s sat. Five of those contests have come at home, including a 112-108 defeat to the Knicks back in mid-January.
That was the first of two meetings so far between these clubs, with the Wizards bouncing back less than a week later with a win in New York. Beal was present for that game, pouring in 18 points and four assists. Kyle Kuzma led the way with 27 points, while former Knick Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and 11 boards.
Wizards Last 4 Games Without Bradley Beal
| Opponent | Spread | Result | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +4.0 | L by 23 | -19 |
| Brooklyn Nets | -1.0 | L by 2 | -3 |
| Golden State Warriors | +2.5 | L by 9 | -6.5 |
| New York Knicks | +3.5 | L by 4 | -0.5 |
Washington enters play winners of four of their last five, and 10 of 14 overall. They’re 10-2 in the last 12 games that Beal has suited up for, with the former first round pick eclipsing 31 points in four of his past six starts.
New York meanwhile, won five of its final six outings before the break. The last two were both by double-figures, while the stretch also included a win over the 76ers, a top-six NBA Championship odds contender.
The Big Three of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and R.J. Barrett have been on fire recently, especially Brunson. The 28-year-old is averaging 32 points per game over his last five starts, and is shooting 50% from three during the month of February.
Brunson has put up an average of 33 points and six assists in two starts versus the Wizards, while Barrett is averaging 19 points per outing against Washington. The Wizards aren’t exactly known for their defense, but have been one of the best offensive teams in the league over the last four weeks.
Knicks vs Wizards Predictions
Washington ranks third in the NBA in offensive rating over the past 14 games, although the last contest that Beal missed the team mustered only 91 points.
If Beal was in line to start on Friday, backing the Wizards would make sense given the form they’ve flashed with him running the offense. Without him, the results have been bleak and attacking New York shorthanded is not a recipe for success.
Jalen Brunson is a Top 5 ISO guard in the NBA.
pic.twitter.com/RRnkbKBEX9— BrunsonMuse (@BrunsonMuse) February 23, 2023
Both of these teams are in the midst of a playoff race, with the Knicks clinging to sixth in the East and Washington holding on to the second last Play-In Tournament spot. That adds even more significance to this contest, and New York has risen to the challenge lately against playoff bound foes.
In their last five games against Eastern Conference teams holding a top-10 spot, New York is 4-1 with three outright upset victories.
Pick: New York Knicks +2 (-110)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
