This is a potential NBA Finals preview as two of the best teams in the league square off on Friday night. The Oklahoma City Thunder have strung together 15 consecutive victories and are the favorites to extend that streak based on the NBA odds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been crucial to their success, but it is difficult to pin their victories on just one player. The team chemistry is off the charts, and the New York Knicks will have to play perfect basketball to upset the NBA odds. The Knicks have a variety of talents on both ends of the court, and the injury to Karl-Anthony Towns could deter your NBA predictions. Jalen Brunson and a talented pair of wing defenders in OG Anunoby and Josh Hart will look to lead their team to victory, but an ice-cold Knicks team will struggle against the red-hot Thunder.
Matchup: Thunder vs Knicks Overview
- Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks
- Date: Friday, January 10th, 2024
- Time: Tip-off is at 7:30 PM EST
- Venue: Madison Square Garden in New York, New York
Win Probabilities:
This is the best NBA game of the night, and the win probabilities are incredibly close. This could be the only game this season where the New York Knicks are underdogs at home, and their win probabilities reflect that fact. The New York Knicks have a 45.59% chance to defend their home court against the Thunder. Their injuries and poor run of form will be too much for their talent and effort to overcome. The Oklahoma City Thunder have won 15 games in a row and have a 54.41% chance to extend that streak against the New York Knicks.
Projected Final Score:
A projected final score can be generated using expert NBA picks and predictions combined with insights from recent NBA games. The Thunder and Knicks are two of the best teams in the entire NBA, and a very close game is expected on Friday night. The projected final score for the NBA game between the Knicks and Thunder is Oklahoma City Thunder 111-108 New York Knicks.
Thunder vs Knicks Odds
The NBA odds for this crucial NBA matchup between the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder are incredibly tight. The Thunder beat the Knicks 117-107 a week ago in Oklahoma City, and New York will be desperate to avenge that defeat. New York had their nine-game win streak snapped in that loss and have since dropped three consecutive games. Despite this, they are only short underdogs for your NBA predictions as they aim to get back in the win column on Friday night. These two teams prioritize defense, and the NBA odds for the total points scored are slightly lower than the 224 points they combined for last week.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder Could Win
The Oklahoma City Thunder have stormed to the top of the Western Conference standings and have shown no signs of slowing down. Their 30-5 record has been fueled by their 15-game win streak, including a win over the Knicks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves plenty of credit but is not the only driving force behind the Thunder’s success. The Thunder will use former Knick Isiah Hartenstein to cause chaos in the paint, and Jalen Williams has blossomed into a full time starter for Oklahoma City.
Extra possessions can be a great way to pull away on the scoreboard, and the Thunder have been incredibly responsible with the basketball. They lead the league in steals per game on the defensive end and have the fewest turnovers per game on offense. Their shooting hasn’t been anything spectacular, but 10 or more extra attempts on a nightly basis have had a huge role to play. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the hottest team in the league, and even though they are on the road, they are a great NBA prediction to make on Friday night.
Why the New York Knicks Could Win
The New York Knicks’ nine game win streak was snapped by the Thunder last week, and they have since lost three consecutive games. Karl-Anthony Towns’s injury has played a massive role, but the Knicks still have enough depth to overcome his absence. Jalen Brunson has eclipsed 8,000 career points and is having the best stretch of his career in New York. His ability to generate his own offense has allowed the Knicks to stuff the rest of their starting lineup with defensive-minded players.
New York has had no shortage of offense this season, and strong play on both ends of the court will be needed to upset the Oklahoma City Thunder. Head coach Tom Thibodeau demands maximum effort from his starters, and a heavy dosage of Brunson early on will tilt the floor in New York’s favor. Taking down a red-hot team while trying to snap a losing streak of their own is no easy task, but the proven veteran talent on the Knicks roster ensures they will be in with a fighting chance.
How to Make Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks Picks
The best place to make your free NBA predictions for every game this season, including Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks picks is Sportzino. Sportzino offers the best NBA odds and a wide variety of options for your NBA predictions. Not only do they have moneyline NBA odds, but they also have NBA odds for totals, spreads, and player props. You can also try your hand at the Fun Picks section for even more choices on how to make your free NBA predictions.
