Here’s everything you need to know Knicks vs. Nuggets on Thursday March 21th – OUR expert prediction And betting choice for today’s match.
The Knicks will gain altitude to face the Nuggets after a hard-fought victory against the Warriors on Monday night. Can the Nuggets get revenge on the Knicks after an embarrassing blowout at Madison Square Garden earlier this season? Or will the Knicks pull off another upset route?
Knicks vs. Nuggets odds
Thursday, March 21, 9 p.m. ET, League Pass
| Knicks odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | More less | Money line |
| +8.5 -110 |
210 -110/-110 |
+300 |
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | More less | Money line |
| -8.5 -110 |
210 -110/-110 |
-380 |
Odds via FanDuel. Stay up to date with the latest news NBA odds here
New York Knicks
Tom Thibodeau went small with Deuce McBride starting for Precious Achiuwa against the Warriors and he would be wise to continue this strategy as this lineup was elite against the Warriors.
It’s a tiny sample size, but this lineup — Jalen Brunson, McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein — is an insane +46.8 per 60 possessions this season. If McBride continues to shoot 41% from 3, he will earn himself a permanent spot in the Knicks rotation.
This will be a tough game for the Knicks defense, as they need to find a way to limit Nikola Jokic with just one center (Hartenstein) in their lineup. Hartenstein is also on a minutes restriction, so Jokic should have the ability to abuse Achiuwa or Jericho Sims.
The Knicks will also be without OG Anunoby, which is notable because they were considerably better by 30 points per 100 possessions with Anunoby on the floor compared to without him. The defense suffers greatly when he is absent as his defensive rating drops from 98.6 to 116.6 when he is off the field.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets should have offensive success for all the reasons mentioned above.
I also expect Denver to be focused as they try to get revenge on the Knicks after losing in embarrassing fashion at Madison Square Garden in January. It was by far the biggest blowout loss the Nuggets have had this season, and it was also one of the worst losses of the Jokic era.
I think there will be a little more motivation to prove that this result was a fluke. Additionally, Anunoby played a major role in this game by completely neutralizing Jamal Murray and leading the Knicks in scoring. His absence will be massive and I expect the Nuggets offense to succeed.
Knicks vs. Nuggets
Betting picks and predictions
I like the Nuggets to cover -8.5 as they are coming off lackluster performances against the Timberwolves and Mavericks.
It’s also a bad patch for the Knicks, who are coming off a freak shooting game and a hard-fought victory against the Warriors in which Hart and McBride played the entire game. Brunson also played 35 minutes in that win and it was the Knicks’ fourth and final game of their road trip.
Traveling to altitude after playing significant minutes isn’t ideal and I think the Knicks might be a little slow. I will be betting on Nuggets -8.5 and also looking to play alternate lines as I wouldn’t be shocked if this turns into a blowout.
