Brooklyn won the battle of New York in the NBA off-season and now the club will try to do the same on the court when it hosts the Knicks Friday night. Kyrie Irving scored 50 points in his season debut and could be set for another huge performance against the squad that courted him in free agency.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The point spread in this game speaks to the basketball hierarchy in New York. Brooklyn’s rebuilding plan is making huge progress. But the Nets are still not often favourites of this size. They were double-digit chalk just since January 2015. There’s a good chance this line could close at 10 or larger.
Sports Interaction opened with the Nets giving 8.5 and the line has grown a half point to 9. The early action is all on the favourites – and for good reason.
The Knicks are expected to be among the worst teams in the NBA this season. They were 10.5-point road underdogs against the San Antonio Spurs in their first game of the campaign. They covered the spread but still lost 120-111.
Brooklyn also comes into this contest off a loss. Minnesota won in overtime as a 3-point away underdog at Brooklyn on Wednesday night. The Nets are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games dating back to last spring’s first round playoff exit to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The two Eastern Conference rivals split their season series last year with the Nets winning and covering in the last two meetings.
New York Knicks
Long rumoured to be the landing destination for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, New York had to pivot its long-term plan when both star players signed with Brooklyn instead.
The brightest piece on the roster is Canadian RJ Barrett. The third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft played well in his league debut as he scored 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field. Canadian NBA fans will be watching this team closely as Barrett projects to be an All-Star calibre player in the league.
Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant will not play this season for Brooklyn. He will rehab his torn Achilles’ tendon and enjoy a front row seat to the Kyrie Irving show. The All-Star point guard scored 50 points on 17-for-33 shooting, and added eight rebounds and seven assists. He should feast again facing a questionable New York backcourt.
Who Will Win Knicks vs. Nets?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Kevin Knox II (SF)
Kevin Knox II (SF)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Taj Gibson (PF)
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)
Kenny Wooten (SF)
Joe Harris (SG)
Donta Hall (PF)
Chris Chiozza (PG)
Jarrett Allen (C)
Joe Harris (SG)
Caris LeVert (SG)
Garrett Temple (SG)
Jarrett Allen (C)
Joe Harris (SG)
Caris LeVert (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Ques Tues | Illness - 10 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Robinson is battling an illness, and it has yet to be determined if he will play Tuesday against the Wizards. |
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| Frank Ntilikina (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Ntilikina is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Pistons despite a sprained right ankle. |
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| Frank Ntilikina (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Ntilikina left Friday's game with a sprained right ankle, and his return is in question. |
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| Kevin Knox II (SF) | Prob Fri | Leg - 05 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Knox II is expected to be in Friday's lineup versus the Thunder despite a left leg contusion. |
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| Kevin Knox II (SF) | Prob Wed | Leg - 03 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Knoxx II is tending to a left leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Jazz. |
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| Mitchell Robinson (C) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Robinson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a sore left hamstring, but he will play against the Thunder on Friday. |
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| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Wed | Illness - 29 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Bullock has sat out the previous two games with an illness, but it is projected that he will be available against the Jazz on Wednesday. |
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| Taj Gibson (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 27 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Gibson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with back spasms, but he is expected to be a participant in Saturday's contest versus the Bulls. |
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| Dennis Smith Jr. (PG) | Prob Tues | Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Smith Jr. is sidelined due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will return Tuesday against the Wizards. |
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| Kenny Wooten (SF) | out for season | Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Wooten is projected to miss the remainder of the season due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Harris (SG) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 19 / 08 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Harris is away from the team due to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
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| Donta Hall (PF) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 12 / 08 / 20 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hall is nursing a sprained right ankle, but it is expected that he will take on the Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Chris Chiozza (PG) | Prob Mon | Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 | 4-2 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Chiozza is experiencing tightness in his right adductor, but he is expected to take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Raptors. |
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| Jarrett Allen (C) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Allen missed the last game with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Trail Blazers on Thursday. |
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| Joe Harris (SG) | Prob Thurs | Groin - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Harris was absent from the lineup in the last game due to a left groin contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Thursday's tilt with the Trail Blazers. |
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| Caris LeVert (SG) | Prob Thurs | Thigh - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
LeVert was held out of the previous contest due to a left thigh contusion, but it is expected that he will face the Trail Blazers on Thursday. |
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| Garrett Temple (SG) | Out Tues | Rest - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Temple will not play Tuesday against the Magic due to a day of rest. |
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| Jarrett Allen (C) | day-to-day | Ankle - 08 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Allen is hobbled by a sprained left ankle, but he is expected to be available to face the Clippers on Sunday. |
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| Joe Harris (SG) | day-to-day | Groin - 08 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Harris is managing a left groin contusion, but he is expected to take the court versus the Clippers on Sunday. |
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| Caris LeVert (SG) | Doub Sun | Rest - 08 / 08 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
LeVert is not expected to line up against the Clippers on Sunday as he will be rested. |
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
Injuries
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 03 / 20Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20Frank Ntilikina (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20Kevin Knox II (SF)
Prob Fri Leg - 05 / 03 / 20Kevin Knox II (SF)
Prob Wed Leg - 03 / 03 / 20Mitchell Robinson (C)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 02 / 20Taj Gibson (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)
Prob Tues Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20Kenny Wooten (SF)
out for season Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20Joe Harris (SG)
Out indefinitely Personal - 19 / 08 / 20Donta Hall (PF)
Prob Mon Ankle - 12 / 08 / 20Chris Chiozza (PG)
Prob Mon Groin - 11 / 08 / 20Jarrett Allen (C)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20Joe Harris (SG)
Prob Thurs Groin - 10 / 08 / 20Caris LeVert (SG)
Prob Thurs Thigh - 10 / 08 / 20Garrett Temple (SG)
Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20Jarrett Allen (C)
day-to-day Ankle - 08 / 08 / 20Joe Harris (SG)
day-to-day Groin - 08 / 08 / 20Caris LeVert (SG)
Doub Sun Rest - 08 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Mitchell Robinson (C) Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 03 / 20 - - + - Robinson is battling an illness, and it has yet to be determined if he will play Tuesday against the Wizards.
Frank Ntilikina (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20 - - + - Ntilikina is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Pistons despite a sprained right ankle.
Frank Ntilikina (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20 - - + - Ntilikina left Friday's game with a sprained right ankle, and his return is in question.
Kevin Knox II (SF) Prob Fri Leg - 05 / 03 / 20 - - + - Knox II is expected to be in Friday's lineup versus the Thunder despite a left leg contusion.
Kevin Knox II (SF) Prob Wed Leg - 03 / 03 / 20 - - + - Knoxx II is tending to a left leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Jazz.
Mitchell Robinson (C) Prob Fri Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20 - - + - Robinson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a sore left hamstring, but he will play against the Thunder on Friday.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 02 / 20 - - + - Bullock has sat out the previous two games with an illness, but it is projected that he will be available against the Jazz on Wednesday.
Taj Gibson (PF) Prob Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20 - - + - Gibson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with back spasms, but he is expected to be a participant in Saturday's contest versus the Bulls.
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG) Prob Tues Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20 - - + - Smith Jr. is sidelined due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will return Tuesday against the Wizards.
Kenny Wooten (SF) out for season Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20 - - + - Wooten is projected to miss the remainder of the season due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Joe Harris (SG) Out indefinitely Personal - 19 / 08 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Harris is away from the team due to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Donta Hall (PF) Prob Mon Ankle - 12 / 08 / 20 3-2 2-3 + - Hall is nursing a sprained right ankle, but it is expected that he will take on the Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Chris Chiozza (PG) Prob Mon Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 4-2 3-3 + - Chiozza is experiencing tightness in his right adductor, but he is expected to take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Raptors.
Jarrett Allen (C) Prob Thurs Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - Allen missed the last game with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Joe Harris (SG) Prob Thurs Groin - 10 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - Harris was absent from the lineup in the last game due to a left groin contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Thursday's tilt with the Trail Blazers.
Caris LeVert (SG) Prob Thurs Thigh - 10 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - LeVert was held out of the previous contest due to a left thigh contusion, but it is expected that he will face the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Garrett Temple (SG) Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - Temple will not play Tuesday against the Magic due to a day of rest.
Jarrett Allen (C) day-to-day Ankle - 08 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - Allen is hobbled by a sprained left ankle, but he is expected to be available to face the Clippers on Sunday.
Joe Harris (SG) day-to-day Groin - 08 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - Harris is managing a left groin contusion, but he is expected to take the court versus the Clippers on Sunday.
Caris LeVert (SG) Doub Sun Rest - 08 / 08 / 20 5-2 3-4 + - LeVert is not expected to line up against the Clippers on Sunday as he will be rested.