High-Scoring Nets Host Defensive-Minded Knicks

The NBA’s top offensive and defensive teams square off in Brooklyn as the Nets (26-13 SU, 21-18 ATS) entertain the Knicks (20-19 SU, 22-17 ATS). New York has covered five of its last six visits to its crosstown rival, but Brooklyn is a sizzling 12-1 SU and 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Gone are the days when oddsmakers had to line Nets games with totals in the 240s. The Sportsbook total of 225 is the lowest for a Brooklyn game since James Harden joined the team in early January.

New York News & Notes

With top point guards Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton both out of the lineup Saturday in Oklahoma City, R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle stepped up big to help the Knicks bounce back from a lopsided loss at Milwaukee two days earlier.

Barrett scored a career-high 32 points and Randle became just the second Knick to record at least two triple-doubles in a season, collecting 26 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

Frank Ntilikina started at point guard for New York but was quickly replaced by rookie Immanuel Quickley after getting into early foul trouble. Quickley ended up playing 31 minutes and provided 22 points off the bench, making him the possible starter tonight if Rose (illness) and Payton (hamstring) aren’t able to return to action.

New York went OVER the total for the sixth time in its last seven games and has scored at least 109 points five times during that span. However, the Knicks were favored in six of those games and tend to play things a bit tighter to the vest as an underdog, going UNDER in 16 of their last 23 when catching points. They’re also 14-6 to the UNDER in their last 20 road games.

Brooklyn News & Notes

A month ago, the thought of the Nets’ defense winning a game for them was laughable, but not anymore. Despite scoring its second-fewest points in its last 20 games, Brooklyn was able to gut out a 100-95 victory Saturday over the visiting Pistons by getting stops down the stretch.

The Nets allowed just four points in the final 2:59 of regulation and held Detroit to 40.9 percent shooting from the field, avenging a February 9 loss to the Pistons in which Brooklyn allowed Detroit to shoot 56 percent. After going OVER the total 24 times in a 33-game stretch, the Nets have now gone UNDER in six of their last nine.

James Harden had yet another triple-double for Brooklyn on Saturday, his ninth since joining the Nets in mid-January, although Kyrie Irving failed to score at least 20 points for the first time in his last seven games. Landry Shamet added 15 points in 22 minutes off the bench and has posted double-digit scoring totals in four of his last six.

Betting Pick: UNDER 225

Only three of New York’s last 18 games have seen more than 225 points scored. Expect the Knicks to slow the pace as much as possible throughout.