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This game features a matchup of two teams that NBA expert picks insiders thought would struggle through the season, but find a way to get a low seed in the playoffs. The Knicks and Nets have been in similar situations over the last couple of seasons. They both have experienced talent on their rosters, but can't find a way to turn the corner and put together a full solid season. Since they are in the Eastern Conference, they won't have to win a ton of games to sneak into the playoffs, but both teams have a lot of work to do if they want to get through the East and into the NBA Finals.
Brooklyn has plenty of talent, but it's no question that their star players are aging a bit. Kevin Garnett can't play as many minutes effectively as he has in the past and Joe Johnson has seemed to have lost a step or two. Both players still have an impact when they are on the court, but they can't be relied on to play 30-40 minutes every single game.
Instead, the Nets will be looking for Deron Williams to lead the team and spark the offense against the Knicks. Williams has been pretty consistent, for the most part, since he has been with the Nets. They will have a tough task trying to contain Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks though, so they will need to put an emphasis on defense and double-team Anthony when possible.
One trend so far in this young season for the Knicks is that when Anthony scores 20 or more points, they win the game. When he scores less than 20, they have lost. Coming into the season it was important that the Knicks find a way to spread the ball out and not rely on Anthony as much. So far that has not happened, and their record is showing it. Anthony came back to New York to win a championship so he will have to get other players involved in order for that to happen. He's a good player on his own, but there's not a single player on a team that can win a game on their own. If the Knicks can break that trend and get other players involved in the offense, then they should be able to roll through the Nets on the road.
Although these teams have some similarities, they are also different in some aspects. The Knicks have their clear leader in Carmelo Anthony, but the Nets are searching for the guy that will step up and be a leader. Williams has shown signs of that, but hasn't been able to turn the corner. Garnett has been a leader everywhere he has played, and is likely a leader in the locker room, but the Nets need a presence on the court that can lead them. So far these two teams have lived up to their respective expectations, but still have a long way to go before they can consider themselves contenders in the Eastern Conference.
NBA Betting picks against the Spread for tonight:
Knicks 98
Nets 89
Brooklyn has plenty of talent, but it's no question that their star players are aging a bit. Kevin Garnett can't play as many minutes effectively as he has in the past and Joe Johnson has seemed to have lost a step or two. Both players still have an impact when they are on the court, but they can't be relied on to play 30-40 minutes every single game.
Instead, the Nets will be looking for Deron Williams to lead the team and spark the offense against the Knicks. Williams has been pretty consistent, for the most part, since he has been with the Nets. They will have a tough task trying to contain Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks though, so they will need to put an emphasis on defense and double-team Anthony when possible.
One trend so far in this young season for the Knicks is that when Anthony scores 20 or more points, they win the game. When he scores less than 20, they have lost. Coming into the season it was important that the Knicks find a way to spread the ball out and not rely on Anthony as much. So far that has not happened, and their record is showing it. Anthony came back to New York to win a championship so he will have to get other players involved in order for that to happen. He's a good player on his own, but there's not a single player on a team that can win a game on their own. If the Knicks can break that trend and get other players involved in the offense, then they should be able to roll through the Nets on the road.
Although these teams have some similarities, they are also different in some aspects. The Knicks have their clear leader in Carmelo Anthony, but the Nets are searching for the guy that will step up and be a leader. Williams has shown signs of that, but hasn't been able to turn the corner. Garnett has been a leader everywhere he has played, and is likely a leader in the locker room, but the Nets need a presence on the court that can lead them. So far these two teams have lived up to their respective expectations, but still have a long way to go before they can consider themselves contenders in the Eastern Conference.
NBA Betting picks against the Spread for tonight:
Knicks 98
Nets 89