After winning 3 straight, HUGE back-to-back wins, the New York Knicks came crashing back down to earth and lost to a LaMelo-less Hornets squad yesterday.
It was a pretty bad loss to take against a team missing their best player.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying that the Knicks didn’t compete yesterday like some ‘others’ in the media have, but it was one of their uglier performances of the season.
Mitchell Robinson postgame interviews are always fun 😂 pic.twitter.com/cj1EVoXb1R
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) January 17, 2022
All things considered, New York allowed just 97 points in the loss against Charlotte, but they turned the ball over 15 times and shot just 40% from the field which helped lead them to the loss.
Here are your Best Bets for tonight’s New York Knicks game
So their recent uptick in playing great defense is still alive and well.
Spread:
Timberwolves -3 (-110)
Knicks +3 (-110)
Moneyline:
Timberwolves: -155
Knicks: +130
Total:
213 (Over -110/Under -110)
I’m sure Thibs & Co. would really like to split the current back-to-back they’re on and come away with the win.
Playing at 1 pm yesterday gave the squad a little more rest than they’d normally get when playing 2 games in a row, so that should lean in their favor a bit.
Both games being at home is just the icing on the cake.
As far as the Knicks’ injuries, as of now, the usual suspects are likely to be out – Rose, Walker, new addition Cam Reddish, and Noel but that could change come game-time.
The T-Wolves aren’t really missing anyone of note except potentially Jordan McLaughlin.
The last time these two teams matched up was in December and the entire Minnesota squad was decimated by COVID health and safety protocols so this would be the first time they get to take a look at KAT, DLo, and the guy all the RJ Barrett stans can’t wait to see, Anthony Edwards.
If you’d recall, the Wolves and the Knicks had some heated matchups last year, and after a last-second missed shot by RJ Barrett, Edwards made a comment in the media about how they game-planned to allow RJ to take the final shot, knowing he would miss.
Look to RJ to have a good game against Edwards on both sides of the ball.
Now, as far as trends, the Knicks have been ‘Under’ monsters this year with a record of 18-26 overall and 9-14 at home.
Minnesota on the other hand is tied for 6th place in overall ‘Over’ percentage with a record of 23-20 and has the best record in the league as the away team with a record of 15-6.
That said, both teams rank in the bottom 10 as far as Offensive Rating with the Wolves at 21st and the Knicks at 23rd.
Both teams are actually some of the better defensive teams in the league with the Wolves ranking 9th and the Knicks ranking 16th on the season in Defensive Rating.
Final Verdict: Knicks are taking this one, I just feel it.
Take the Moneyline and the Under, and you can sprinkle in a little RJ Over Points into the parlay.