The Golden State Warriors are going to need two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry back in the lineup on Tuesday as they heading to New York to face a Knicks team that has won four of their last five games.  Curry was a late scratch with an illness in Charlotte on Saturday.

The Warriors opened as 3.5-point favourites on the NBA odds.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Warriors have had New York’s number in recent years.  Golden State has won 10 of their last 12 games against the Knicks, including six straight at Madison Square Garden.  The Warriors are 15-16 against the spread this season and have hit the Over in 14 of 31 games.

New York has been on a bit of a heater lately and has been rewarding bettors generously.  The Knicks have covered the spread in five of their last six games and are 17-14 ATS overall.  New York has been doing all this despite being an Under team in seven of their last 10 games and 21 of 31 games overall this season.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors didn’t just lose Curry for their 102-100 loss to the Hornets on Saturday.  Golden State has been without centre’s James Wiseman and Kevon Looney for a few weeks.  Both are listed as probable for Tuesday, so the Warriors could see some much needed size return to the lineup.

He may not be at 100 per cent, but Curry will likely play on Tuesday.  Thankfully for the Warriors, a limited Curry is still better than most players in the league.  Curry averages 29.9 points per game (No. 3 in the NBA), 5.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists.  If Golden State can get on a roll and start moving up the standings, Curry should be looking at a serious chance for his third MVP award.

New York Knicks

The biggest advantage for the Knicks in this game will be size.  Their opponent has been forced to use an undersized lineup over the last few weeks, something New York can capitalize on.  Julius Randle should be able to bully his way in the paint.  Randle is averaging career-highs and team-highs this season in points per game (23.3), rebounds (11.0) and assists (5.5).  He is also coming off a monster performance in the Knicks’ 103-99 win over Minnesota on Sunday.  Randle finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.  If New York does manage to stay in a playoff position and make the post season for the first time since the 2012-2013 season, Randle will be the team’s MVP.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Warriors vs. Knicks?

• Regular Season

Warriors Team Leaders

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 29.97
Assists	Draymond Green 8.36
Rebounds	Marquese Chriss 6.5
FG%	Kevon Looney 62.1
Steals	Draymond Green 1.43
Blocks	James Wiseman 1.18

NY

Points	Julius Randle 23.21
Assists	Julius Randle 5.48
Rebounds	Julius Randle 11.03
FG%	Mitchell Robinson 66
Steals	Frank Ntilikina 1.2
Blocks	Nerlens Noel 1.96

• Regular Season

Knicks Team Leaders

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 29.97
Assists	Draymond Green 8.36
Rebounds	Marquese Chriss 6.5
FG%	Kevon Looney 62.1
Steals	Draymond Green 1.43
Blocks	James Wiseman 1.18

NY

Points	Julius Randle 23.21
Assists	Julius Randle 5.48
Rebounds	Julius Randle 11.03
FG%	Mitchell Robinson 66
Steals	Frank Ntilikina 1.2
Blocks	Nerlens Noel 1.96

Injuries

Golden State

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 18 / 02 / 21

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Mon Knee - 15 / 02 / 21

Eric Paschall (PF)

Prob Mon Knee - 05 / 02 / 21

Eric Paschall (PF)

Ques Thurs Knee - 04 / 02 / 21

Kevon Looney (PF)

Prob Tues Ankle - 03 / 02 / 21

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Tues Thigh - 01 / 02 / 21

James Wiseman (C)

Prob Tues Wrist - 01 / 02 / 21

Eric Paschall (PF)

Prob Tues Back - 31 / 01 / 21

Andrew Wiggins (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 19 / 01 / 21

Eric Paschall (PF)

Prob Thurs Illness - 12 / 01 / 21

New York

Elfrid Payton (PG)

Ques Sat Hamstring - 24 / 02 / 21

Nerlens Noel (C)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 24 / 02 / 21

Nerlens Noel (C)

Prob Tues Ankle - 23 / 02 / 21

Austin Rivers (PG)

Ques Sat Illness - 21 / 02 / 21

Mitchell Robinson (C)

Late March Hand - 13 / 02 / 21

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Out indefinitely Illness - 09 / 02 / 21

Nerlens Noel (C)

Out Tues Knee - 05 / 02 / 21

Nerlens Noel (C)

Prob Wed Groin - 03 / 02 / 21

Austin Rivers (PG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 03 / 02 / 21

Nerlens Noel (C)

Ques Mon Groin - 31 / 01 / 21

Injuries

Golden State

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 18 / 02 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Green is nursing an ankle injury, but he is likely to be available Friday versus the Magic.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 15 / 02 / 21	4-3	3-4	+ -
Green is dealing with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Monday's contest with the Cavaliers.
Eric Paschall (PF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 05 / 02 / 21	7-6	5-8	+ -
Paschall miss his previous game with swelling in his right knee, but is expected to be available for Monday's match-up versus the Spurs.
Eric Paschall (PF)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 04 / 02 / 21	7-6	5-8	+ -
Paschall is battling some soreness in his right knee, and it is unclear if he will lace up against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Kevon Looney (PF)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 03 / 02 / 21	8-6	5-9	+ -
Looney is out of action due to a sprained left ankle, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Knicks on Tuesday.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Tues	Thigh - 01 / 02 / 21	8-6	5-9	+ -
Green is managing left adductor tightness, and will likely suit up against the Celtics on Tuesday.
James Wiseman (C)	Prob Tues	Wrist - 01 / 02 / 21	8-6	5-9	+ -
Wiseman is tending to a sprained left wrist, but he is expected to return Tuesday versus the Knicks.
Eric Paschall (PF)	Prob Tues	Back - 31 / 01 / 21	8-7	5-10	+ -
Paschall exited the previous contest due to back spasms, and he is expected to face the Celtics on Tuesday.
Andrew Wiggins (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 19 / 01 / 21	12-10	10-12	+ -
Wiggins is nursing a sore right knee, but it is projected that he will suit up Wednesday against the Spurs.
Eric Paschall (PF)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 12 / 01 / 21	13-11	10-14	+ -
Paschall is going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and he is likely to suit up Thursday versus the Nuggets.

New York

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Elfrid Payton (PG)	Ques Sat	Hamstring - 24 / 02 / 21	2-1	1-2	+ -
Payton was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to right hamstring soreness, and it is unclear if he will face the Pacers on Saturday.
Nerlens Noel (C)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 24 / 02 / 21	2-1	1-2	+ -
Noel is expected to take on the Kings on Thursday despite left ankle soreness.
Nerlens Noel (C)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 23 / 02 / 21	2-1	1-2	+ -
Noel is managing an ankle injury, but he is expected to take the court Tuesday versus the Warriors.
Austin Rivers (PG)	Ques Sat	Illness - 21 / 02 / 21	2-2	1-3	+ -
Rivers has missed the last three games due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Pacers.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	Late March	Hand - 13 / 02 / 21	5-2	3-4	+ -
Robinson is sidelined after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right hand, and he is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 09 / 02 / 21	6-3	4-5	+ -
Ntilikina is sidelined while going through the league's health and safety protocols. Team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Nerlens Noel (C)	Out Tues	Knee - 05 / 02 / 21	8-3	4-7	+ -
Noel sat out the previous two games with a left knee injury, and he will not play Tuesday versus the Heat.
Nerlens Noel (C)	Prob Wed	Groin - 03 / 02 / 21	8-4	4-8	+ -
Noel is dealing with some left groin soreness, but is expected to take the court against the Bulls on Wednesday.
Austin Rivers (PG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 03 / 02 / 21	8-4	4-8	+ -
Rivers is battling a right ankle issue, but is expected to play Wednesday against the Bulls.
Nerlens Noel (C)	Ques Mon	Groin - 31 / 01 / 21	9-5	5-9	+ -
Noel missed the last contest with left groin soreness, and it is unknown if he will dress for Monday's matchup with the Bulls.