Wednesday NBA Betting Odds, Preview, Prediction for Nets vs. Knicks: Look For Knicks to Keep Things Tight

Nets vs. Knicks Odds

The New YorkKnicks and Brooklyn Nets will renew their rivalry on Wednesday in a game that sadly means nothing to either side (but plenty to fans at Madison Square Garden).

With the fate of both New York teams already determined, could it be a good idea to take the points with the underdog?

Let's get into it below.

Nets Own the Cross-Town Matchup

Well, the field in the East is all set now. The Nets have nothing to play for as they're locked into the play-in tournament. The only matter left to be settled is who, exactly, the Nets will play given the entire field is separated by just 2.5 games. Still, it's unlikely that it will weigh on the minds of Brooklyn given its fate is probably out of its control.

Based on the way they've played lately, you would absolutely know that the Nets have nothing to play for. They've lost four-of-seven with their two most-recent wins coming over Houston and Detroit after clinching a play-in spot.

The Nets also haven't covered the spread in their last five, losing outright as a favorite three times and failing to cover double-digit numbers in those aforementioned wins.

Of course, the Knicks are a team the Nets enjoy playing. They have defeated their in-city rivals on all three occasions this season, though they have never covered the spread as a favorite.

Ironically, the line sat at six twice and it once again sits at six. The one game in which Brooklyn was getting points was during that period of time where every single one of its stars was out and Kessler Edwards and Cam Thomas were leading the way.

Can the Knicks' Youth Compete With Opposing Stars?

It's rather futile, and it means absolutely nothing, but the Knicks have won some games down the stretch after tanking their playoff chances with one of the worst midseason slumps you will ever see. The tally stands at 10 wins in 16 games, a rather impressive feat for a team that has not been able to rely on its star player for much at all and isn't playing for a postseason berth.

The only question these days seems to be which young players will see the floor for New York, and how many minutes will Tom Thibodeau afford Taj Gibson? All kidding aside, the Knicks would be well-served getting their rookies and sophomores some extended run, and at least Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin have been heavily relied upon in recent games.

Those two combined for 40 points in a win over the Magic last time out, and Quickley recorded a triple-double for the first time in his career.

While Quickley is thriving, two rookie guards — Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride — are listed as questionable for this one with knee soreness. That would seem to throw a little cold water on the team, though it's very possible one of them plays considering the minor nature of the injuries.

Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel and Cam Reddish remain out along with the usual suspects, Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker.

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Nets-Knicks Pick

The Knicks have been the better team against the spread in the last month of play and they've been winning some games too. New York has also played the Nets extremely close going on two years now, and while it won't have Julius Randle, who was a catalyst in their close games last season, the Nets are probably better off without him.

Since the start of March, the Knicks have a +5.4 Net Rating with Randle off the court compared to a +4.9 with him on the floor, according to NBA.com.

This game means nothing to either side, but it's hard to deny the Knicks are the better team who have gotten a boost from the absence of Randle. I'll take the points.

Pick: Knicks +6.5 (-110)