Knicks vs. Nets prediction and odds for Saturday, January 28

The Brooklyn Nets host the New York Knicks today, coming off two straight losses to Philadelphia and Detroit. Without KD, the 29-19 Nets are doing their best to tread water and are sitting in fourth in the east.

The New York Knicks are just a couple of games back, in seventh place, at 27-23, and on Thursday, they took down Boston in overtime. Julius Randle had 37 points in that win.

Brooklyn isn’t just without KD, plenty of the Nets contributors are questionable for this one. That hasn’t swung the odds in New York’s direction though, the Nets are still the favorites.

Knicks vs. Nets odds, spread and total

Knicks vs. Nets prediction and pick

Brooklyn’s offense hasn’t been a big issue without KD, especially not lately. In their last five games, the Nets are 24th in defensive rating, 121.2, and fifth in offensive rating, 121.8. They’ve been involved in some serious track meets lately, like their 137-133 loss to Philly on Wednesday. Their defense would be even worse if Ben Simmons, who is questionable, misses this game. I expect New York to be able to score at will.

Julius Randle has carried the Knicks to back-to-back wins with 36 and 37 in their last two games. He’s playing at the All-NBA level that we saw a few years ago with the Knicks. Nick Claxton will likely draw the assignment, and Claxton is a legit DPOY candidate, but without Simmons’ wing defense, he can’t do it all. I think the Knicks will win this one, but Kyrie Irving had 40 last game and could go off. To protect against a huge game from Kyrie, I’ll take the over.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change