The New York Knicks visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup of teams who play some of the ugliest style in the NBA. Upon reviewing the latest news, stats, and injury reports, the NBA betting odds are favoring the visitors quite significantly. But can we trust the Knicks with our hard-earned money or this is another chance to fade them?
New York Knicks (17-18) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (12-22)
Quiet Thunder
Oklahoma City was supposed to be a bad team, but that hasn’t gone according to plan. At least, not lately. The Thunder have won four of their last seven games with two of their three losses coming against the Phoenix Suns, who are tied for the NBA’s best record.
This lottery team is losing a lot of games but busting chalk as they’re doing it. OKC is 21-13 against the spread (10-5 as a home underdog), which is the third-best cover percentage in the league. And the Thunder are doing it with star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going in and out of the lineup.
But it gets a bit tougher for the Thunder, who are dealing with quarantine issues. Their online sports betting line won’t be this steep if several of their players on rotation are cleared to play so keep an eye on that.
The Knicks are Back?
Don’t tell Stephen A. yet, but the Knicks have won three straight and appear headed in the right direction even if Julius Randle will be absent. Wins over Minnesota and Atlanta are confidence boosters and are indicative of the revitalized defense.
New York has limited four of its last five opponents to under 100 points, even if Detroit was the opponent twice. But going back to their bread-and-butter is what will slowly push the Knicks back to relevance, never mind the rotating guard play.
19 points in the fourth.
34 points on the night.
Alec Burks is on fire. pic.twitter.com/sL4HHntG4l
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 30, 2021
If one of Alec Burks, Kemba Walker or Derrick Rose catches fire, that could be good enough to beat the teams the Knicks should be beating. Hence, their 5-1 record as a favorite lately.
New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Head to Head
| New York | Stat | Oklahoma City |
| 2-8 | 8-2 | 5-5 |
| 3-7-0 | Point Spread | 7-3-0 |
| 7-2-1 | Over/Under | 7-2-1 |
| 104.80 | Average Score | 113.60 |
| 51.20 | Half Time | 55.70 |
New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game Information
Date: Friday
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Paycom Center
New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Lines
| New York | Oklahoma City | |
| -200 | Moneyline | +170 |
| 30.42% | Implied Probability | 69.58% |
| -4½ (-110) | Point Spread | +4½ (-110) |
| 205½ (-110o) | Total | 205½ (-110u) |
New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Knicks have been steadily grinding it out lately and are one of the best road favorites with a 7-1 record on the moneyline and 6-2 against the spread (ATS). If Nerlens Noel can rejoin the team, this will only help solidify their improving defense. But 4½ points is a lot to put on a team that still struggles to score and needed 34 points from Burks to beat Detroit.
The Thunder are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games and have covered against Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers. Bet online on OKC to keep this going, and pending the status of their quarantined player, sprinkle some on their moneyline.
Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder +4½ (-110)
Shorthanded rosters, sloppy offenses, and the Knicks’ third-slowest pace is why we have some early- 2000s totals listed. But this is a bit too low considering OKC averages around 103 points at home while the Knicks average 105 on the road. Bet the over.
