NBA Betting Picks: New Jersey Nets vs. New York Knicks

Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks
Monday, 1/21/13, 3:30 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: New York -4.5
Current Betting Line: New York -4
Opening Total: 194.5
Current Total: 193.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

New York Knicks F Carmelo Anthony has been sensational against the Brooklyn Nets this season

Brooklyn has won eight of its last nine games, including a 94-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks as 6.5-point home favorites Friday night, while going UNDER the total for the first time in four contests. The Nets have dropped two of three meetings against the Knicks during the 2012-13 NBA season, including a 100-86 setback as six-point road underdogs on Dec. 19. “We’ve got to go in there with the mind-frame that we understand it’s going to be a hostile environment,” stated Nets guard Joe Johnson. Brooklyn is 1-5 ATS when revenging a loss versus an opponent this year, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page.

The Nets are led by their backcourt duo of Johnson and Deron Williams offensively, averaging 34.2 combined points per game, while center Brook Lopez is the highest scorer at 18.6. Brooklyn is 8-9 overall when playing away from the Barclays Center, including an even 6-6 mark versus Eastern Conference foes. Under interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo, the franchise has garnered an 11-2 record, averaging 101.5 points per game on the offensive end.

New York has put together a two-game win streak since dropping three in a row, as it comes off a 102-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons as 5.5-point favorites in London, while going UNDER the total for the third time in four contests. “I’ve been on some good teams, but this is the best team I’ve been a part of,” commented Knicks star Carmelo Anthony over the weekend. He has averaged 37.0 points in three games against the Nets this season. New York is 16-5 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 2010, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread.

The Knicks are 18-8 overall and 18-7 at home when playing on Martin Luther King Day, as they prepare to play on the holiday for a 14th consecutive year. New York is averaging 101.5 points per game, while giving up 96.5. It’s important to note that point guard Raymond Felton will miss his first game in this series after playing the previous three, as he continues to miss time with a broken finger.