Julius Randle defended by Nikola Jokic

Dec 4, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks ahead Julius Randle (30) seems to drive previous Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic (15) within the third quarter at Madison Sq. Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports activities

  • The Denver Nuggets are 2-point street favorites in a Saturday matinee vs the New York Knicks
  • Jalen Brunson (foot) will miss a fourth straight recreation
  • Learn under for the Nuggets vs Knicks odds and predictions

A recreation after snapping their season-long 4-game dropping skid, the Denver Nuggets (47-23, 17-17 away), with a playoff berth clinched, can give attention to locking up the highest seed in West’s NBA Playoff Bracket.

We’ll see how they deal with one of many league’s finest groups because the all-star break, once they go to the New York Knicks (41-30, 19-16 residence).

New York could have a greater file on the street than at residence, however they’ve ripped off six straight at MSG. Will probably be their first recreation since coming back from a West-coast journey, beating up on Portland Tuesday.

Denver hits the midway level of a 5-game Japanese swing, trying to construct on their final win in opposition to the Pistons.

All of it will get underway Saturday (March 18) at 1pm ET from Madison Sq. Backyard. You possibly can watch the sport stay on NBA League Go.

Nuggets vs Knicks Odds

Workforce Unfold Moneyline Whole
Denver Nuggets -2 (-110) -130 OFF
New York Knicks +2 (-110) +110 OFF

The NBA odds have the Nuggets as two-point street favorites, and -130 on the moneyline, an implied win likelihood of 56.52%.

New York sits comfortably in fifth within the East, 1.5 video games again of the Cavaliers, and 1.5 away from the Brooklyn Nets.

Odds as of Mar 17 at DraftKings. 

Denver Betting Evaluation

The Nuggets are working to clinch high seed within the convention for the primary time in franchise historical past. They maintain a 4.5 recreation lead over the SacTo Kings with 12 video games to play.

House court docket benefit by means of the West can be an enormous bonus, as they maintain the most effective residence file within the NBA (30-6) and at the moment sit fourth within the NBA Championship odds.

They crushed the Pistons final recreation 119-100, bouncing again from a debacle of a defeat in Toronto the earlier recreation, once they surrendered 49 first-quarter factors en path to a 15-point thumping.

Nikola Jokic led the best way with 30 factors, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, capturing a crisp 14-for-18 from the sector. All 5 starters cracked double digits, together with Jamal Murray, who had 19 factors, six rebounds and 10 assists.

Probably the most encouraging signal was the protection, which had allowed 123 factors a recreation throughout their dropping streak. Denver compelled 17 Pistons’ turnovers, about 4 ticks greater than their season common, as they held an opponent at 100 factors or much less for simply the third time within the final 23 video games.

Regardless of their current struggles, this staff is potent offensively, seventh in scoring (116.9), first in capturing (50.8%) and second in three-point capturing (38.7%). They’re thirteenth within the league in scoring D, holding groups to 113 factors per recreation.

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New York Betting Evaluation

Maybe extra regarding for the Knicks than playoff positioning is the well being of star guard Jalen Brunson. He’s coping with a foot harm that may trigger him to overlook his fourth straight recreation, and the sixth within the final seven.

The Knicks have stayed afloat with out him on this stretch, going 3-2, together with two straight wins to wrap up their street journey. They punctuated it with a 123-107 win in opposition to the Path Blazers.

Immanuel Quickley dropped a team-high 26 factors, including 10 rebounds and three dimes, whereas all-star Julius Randle was strong once more, with 24 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. RJ Barrett was the third 20+ scoring starter, with 22 factors and 5 boards.

Josh Hart was a do-everything man off the bench, ending with 16 factors, 9 rebounds, eight assists and three steals. New York is 11-3 since including him on the commerce deadline.

The Knicks’ protection has changed into an actual power and might be examined in opposition to a legit offense. New York has the Seventh-best scoring protection, whereas holding the third finest area purpose (45.5%) and three-point capturing protection (34.6).

Nuggets vs Knicks Betting Prediction

There’s additionally a fierce matchup inside, the place New York has the highest paint scoring protection, holding groups to 47 factors per recreation — the one staff that goes sub-50, and eight factors away from second. Denver lives inside, scoring 55 paint factors per recreation, which ranks fourth.

Have the Nuggets put that ugly stretch behind them? They’re at the moment 1-5 in opposition to the unfold of their final six, whereas the Knicks are 5-1-1 ATS of their final seven residence video games.

Denver has not fared properly as a street favourite, going 8-13-0 ATS, however they’re 4-0 ATS of their final 4 journeys to Gotham.

Search for that pattern to proceed, as Brunson’s loss proves too massive in opposition to a real contender.

Decide: 

  • Nuggets -2 (-110); 1.5 items to win 1.36 items
  • NBA Betting Document: 36-32-1 ATS, 1-2 ML, 7-0 o/u, 0-3 parlays; -6.69 items

Eric Rosales

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NBA
Sports activities Author & Editor

NFL
NBA