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Knicks vs Thunder Picks and Prediction January 03: New York to Cover +4½
- New York is a 4½-point underdog against Oklahoma City at BetUS. The total is 222.
- This game is a matchup between two of the hottest teams in the league.
- The Knicks will keep it close no matter what, letting them cover the spread.
- The over makes the most sense in the Knicks vs Thunder betting lines.
Two of the best teams in the league will be matched up as the New York Knicks travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder. This game is even more interesting for NBA predictions because both teams are on long winning streaks.
In the Knicks’ last game, they went up against the Utah Jazz, getting an easy 119-103 win and winning their ninth straight. That could make them an interesting option in the BetUS sportsbook despite being on the road. But the Thunder have won eight in a row since losing the NBA Cup final to Milwaukee 97-81 on Dec. 17.
Knicks vs Thunder Game Information
- Game: Knicks (24-10) vs Thunder (28-5)
- Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
- Date/Time: Jan. 3, 8 p.m. ET
- Knicks vs Thunder Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Get the latest NBA betting trends here.
Knicks vs Thunder Betting Preview: Best 2 NBA Picks Today
1. Take New York +4½
Going into this game, there will be many storylines to headline for NBA news. The first might be that the Thunder’s starting center is Isaiah Hartenstein, who is averaging 12.7 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Last season, Hartenstein had his breakout season with the Knicks, leading to him signing a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Thunder.
In addition, the league just announced the Players of the Month for December, and they will both be in this game. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the POTM in the Western Conference, averaging 33.3 points per game as the team went 12-1 – excluding the NBA Cup final..
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and New York Knicks center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in December. pic.twitter.com/d6xGHLU0lW
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 2, 2025
Then, Karl-Anthony Towns won the award in the Eastern Conference. Per Knicks vs Thunder stats, New York had a great month with a 12-2 record, and Towns was a massive part of that. He averaged 23.2 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. His strong play continued in the win over the Jazz. With Jalen Brunson out, Towns scored 31 points and had 21 rebounds.
Given the talent in this game, it is incredibly hard to make an NBA pick in this matchup. However, it should still be a close game even with the Thunder at home, which gives them an advantage. The Knicks are good enough to keep this game close, covering the spread.
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2. Go With Over 222
Even though both of these teams are well-balanced, their strengths are on other sides of the ball. In December, the Thunder had the second-best net rating (13.7), while the Knicks were third (12.1).
For the Thunder, a big reason for their impressive net rating was their defense. They had the best defensive rating in the league during December, at 103.1. The Thunders’ defense has a lot of answers on their roster, with elite perimeter defenders and the ability to defend the paint. But the strength is creating turnovers. They force 19 per game, the most in the league.
Mikal Bridges Last 15 Games:
21.9 PTS | 2.7 REB | 3.7 AST | 57% FG | 43% 3PHe’s holding opponents to just 43% FG in that span, while averaging 1.3 STL per game. pic.twitter.com/uFkmR39jFQ
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) January 2, 2025
Then there is the Knicks’ offense, which is a big reason for their high net rating. In December, the Knicks had the third-best offensive rating, at 118.5, with two-star players in Towns and Brunson leading the way. But while Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart might be seen as defensive players, they offer a lot offensively, too, as each averaged more than 14 points per game.
Despite that, both teams were ranked in the top six in December in offensive and defensive ratings. However, this game will trend toward the over. While both teams have good defenses, offense wins out in this league. Both teams’ offenses are smooth and crisp, leading NBA betting towards the over.
Bet on Knicks vs Thunder Over 222
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Questions of the Day
Who is going to lead the Knicks vs Thunder game in scoring?
The Thunder’s offense relies on Gilgeous-Alexander more than the Knicks do on one of their stars.
Is there a player prop to pay attention to in the Knicks vs Thunder game?
When facing his former teams, Hartenstein should have a big game. If not, by scoring, he will grab rebounds.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
