Given the latest roster move from the New York Knicks, the Under is our preferred NBA pick for Tuesday’s game with the Brooklyn Nets.
New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – 07:30 PM EST at Barclays Center
Let’s just call it right now: There’s no point picking a side for Tuesday’s game between the New York Knicks (11-9 SU, 9-11 ATS) and Brooklyn Nets (14-6 SU, 9-11 ATS). The NBA lines for this matchup are tight as a drum with the Nets as 6.5-point home favorites at the top sportsbooks – and besides, the Under is just betting for your approval. It’s 13-7 on the season for New
But what about the recent uptick in scoring? The last time we looked at the Knicks in this space, the Over was my pick for Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns; alas, the total was 216 when we went to press, but it went down to 213.5 before tip-off, and the final score was Phoenix 119, New York 97. The Over might still be a solid generic NBA pick after going 30-22 (57.7 percent) the past seven days, but in this particular matchup, the Under looks too good after opening at 218.5 points at MaximBet.
Letting Your Guard Down
We already know about New York’s side of the equation. They’re tough defensively under head coach Tom Thibodeau, and they operate at a middling pace of 99.6 possessions per game. But arguably their best defender, Nerlens Noel (knee), is listed as questionable for Tuesday, and the Knicks might be without their top two point guards in Kemba Walker (rest) and Derrick Rose (ankle).
The Nets don’t have the same quality “Under” profile as their crosstown rivals. Brooklyn are capable at both ends of the court, but they operate at a speedy 101.6 possessions per game, and while they have the Under at 11-9 on the season, the Over is 7-2 in their last nine. That includes 5-1 since Joe Harris (ankle) went on the injured list – which seems odd, given that he’s shooting 46.6 percent from downtown.
No Sudden Movement
Brooklyn’s recent Over streak might illustrate how Kevin Durant and especially James Harden have found their shooting touch of late. Both saw their accuracy and their effectiveness improve after a slow November; in addition to the new Wilson basketballs, Harden had some additional adjustments to make with the new rules’ interpretations that prevent him from simply jumping into defenders and drawing fouls.
Be that as it may, the Knicks are giving us exactly what we want from an Under team. Word just came down the news wires that Walker is indeed being pulled from Tuesday’s game, with Alec Burks presumably taking his place in the starting lineup. This is classic Thibodeau – Burks has been a solid two-way guard in the Big Apple since his arrival last year. Rose is still their best guard, but Walker has been an offensive spark, so his absence plays directly into our hands. Bet accordingly.
NBA Pick: Under 218.5 (–109) at MaximBet
