The latest Battle of New York takes on added significance as the New York Knicks visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. The Knicks (25-25 SU, 28-21-1 ATS) are just a game out of fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but come in as modest underdogs against a Nets team (34-16 SU, 24-26 ATS) looking to create some separation from Philadelphia atop the conference standings.
- Date/Time: April 5, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: Barclays Center
- TV Coverage: NBATV
- Sportsbook Odds: Nets -5.5 | O/U 218.5 (Line History)
- Knicks vs. Nets (Matchup Report)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
This one opened with Brooklyn as a 5.5-point favorite, and that line has held steady so far. The total is sitting at 217.5 in most spots, one point lower than its 218.5 Sportsbook.
New York News & Notes
If the Knicks ultimately fall short of finishing in the top half of the East playoff standings – or worse, miss the postseason altogether – their intra-division record might be to blame. New York enters the week having gone just 1-6 against Atlantic Division opponents, with that lone victory coming courtesy of a 105-75 blowout over the Boston Celtics back on Jan. 17.
That said, the Knicks have played Brooklyn tough this season, losing two previous meetings by only a combined 12 points. Julius Randle was the offensive star for New York in both games and is averaging 31.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in those encounters. He has been one of the most trustworthy high-end options in daily fantasy, and that holds true for Monday's tilt.
Brooklyn News & Notes
The Nets have done well to climb to the top of the conference standings despite the absence of star forward Kevin Durant – and there's positive news on that front, as well. Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash said there's a "high probability" Durant returns from his seven-week injury absence this week, possibly as early as Monday (though he sounded skeptical it would be that soon).
In his expected absence, the offensive load will once again fall on the sensational guard tandem of Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Each of them played in just one of the first two meetings with the Knicks – and based on those results, Harden (who posted 21 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds in his appearance) is the superior of the two for daily fantasy purposes Monday.
Betting Pick: Nets -5.5 (-110)
Brooklyn is a force at home, while the Knicks have stumbled away from MSG this season. The Knicks simply don't have the firepower to keep up with the Nets, even if Durant remains sidelined.
- The Knicks are 5-1 ATS in the last six head-to-head meetings.
- The Nets are 1-5 ATS in their last six games.
- The UNDER is 9-2 in the last 11 games between the teams.
