Defending NBA champion New York Knicks are staring down a rough 2-4 start to their season, and they’re about to face Atlantic Division rivals the Brooklyn Nets, who aren’t doing much better at 1-5. This isn’t the kind of early season fireworks we expected from either side, especially not with the Knicks coming off a title run.
The New York Grind is Real
Both New York squads are trying to find their footing early, but it’s been a bumpy ride. The Nets, sitting dead last in the division at fifth, just snagged their first win of the year yesterday, a 98-90 road victory against Indiana. Before that, though, it was a tough 0-5 stretch. They’re 1-2 away from home. Meanwhile, the defending champs, the Knicks, are barely ahead in fourth place in the Atlantic, coming off a 98-93 loss to Philly on Friday night. Their home record isn’t exactly inspiring either, also sitting at 1-2 on their own court. This Monday night matchup at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET isn’t just another game, it’s a chance for one of these teams to maybe, finally, hit a stride.
Why the Under is the Smart Money
Forget who’s winning this one straight up for a sec, because the numbers from SportsLine’s super-powered projection model are screaming about the total. The model, which has banked nearly $19,000 in profit for $100 players since 2018 with five straight seasons of four-digit profit and is on a ridiculous 26-10 (72%) run on top-rated spread picks, just dropped its picks. And its biggest call for this Knicks-Nets showdown? The Under on 221.5 points.
Why the Under? Let’s talk about it. The Under has actually hit in six of the last ten head-to-head meetings between these two. And it’s been a trend for both clubs individually: the Under has hit in the last two Brooklyn games, and an insane eight of the past ten New York matchups. Looking at offensive production, it’s pretty clear why. Last season, the Nets were 30th in points scored, clocking in at 105.9. This season, they’ve bumped it up a bit to 21st with 110.2 points per game. The Knicks? They’re 27th in scoring this season, averaging just 107 points per game. So yeah, offense hasn’t exactly been prolific.
For Brooklyn, Julius Randle is trying to carry the load, averaging a team-high 21 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in over 33 minutes a night. Michael Porter Jr. is also adding 20.8 points and seven rebounds. But even with those individual efforts, team scoring is low. With both offenses sputtering and the Under being a common theme, that 221.5 total looks steep.
So, when the Nets hit MSG tonight, don’t be shocked if the scoreboard stays low. The SportsLine model is all-in on the Under, and given the scoring woes from both these Atlantic Division rivals, it’s hard to argue with that call. Keep your eyes peeled, because even with struggling teams, divisional matchups always bring some heat.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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