Nuggets vs. Knicks Odds, Spread & Picks (March 18)

Dec 4, 2021; New York, New York, United States; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, 30, looks to drive past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, 15, in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

• The Denver Nuggets are 2-point favorites in a Saturday matinee against the New York Knicks
• Jalen Brunson (foot) will miss a fourth straight game
• Read the Nuggets vs. Knicks odds and predictions below

The Denver Nuggets (47-23, 17-17 away) can focus on securing the top seed in West’s NBA Playoff Bracket with a playoff berth after one game after losing their season-long 4-game slack with a playoff berth .

We’ll see how they stack up against one of the best teams in the league since the All-Star break when they visit the New York Knicks (41-30, 19-16 at home).

New York may have a better record on the road than at home, but they’ve demolished six in a row at MSG. It will be their first game since returning from a West Coast trip where they batted in Portland on Tuesday.

Denver is halfway through a 5-game Eastern swing and is looking to build on its most recent win over the Pistons.

It all starts Saturday (March 18) at 1pm ET at Madison Square Garden. You can watch the game live on NBA League Pass.

Nuggets vs Knicks Odds

The NBA odds have the Nuggets as two-point straight favorites and -130 on the moneyline, an implied winning percentage of 56.52%.

New York is comfortably fifth in the East, 1.5 games behind the Cavaliers and 1.5 ahead of the Brooklyn Nets.

Odds as of March 17th at DraftKings.

Denver betting analysis

The Nuggets are working to take first place in the conference for the first time in franchise history. They have a 4.5 game lead over the SacTo Kings with 12 games to play.

West home field advantage would be a huge bonus as they hold the best home record in the NBA (30-6) and currently rank fourth in NBA championship odds.

They defeated the Pistons 119-100 in the last game and rebounded from a debacle of a Toronto loss in the previous game when they gave up 49 points in the first quarter en route to a 15-point smash.

A full performance by Nikola Jokic in the Nuggets W 🃏

30 points
10 setbacks
9 templates
78% FG pic.twitter.com/oZZuvcBND5

— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2023

Nikola Jokic led with 30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, shooting a crisp 14-for-18 from the field. All five starters hit double digits, including Jamal Murray, who had 19 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.

The most encouraging sign was the defense, which had allowed 123 points per game on their losing streak. Denver forced 17 Pistons turnovers, about four ticks more than their season average, as they held an opponent with 100 points or fewer for the third time in their last 23 games.

Despite their recent problems, this team is strong offensively, seventh in goalscoring (116.9), winning in shooting (50.8%) and second in three-point shooting (38.7%). They are 13th in the league in D rating and hold teams to 113 points per game.

New York Betting Analysis

Perhaps of more concern for the Knicks than their playoff placement is the health of star guard Jalen Brunson. He is dealing with a foot injury that will see him miss his fourth straight game and sixth of the last seven.

The Knicks have stayed afloat at this stretch without him, going 3-2, including back-to-back wins to complete their road trip. They underscored it with a 123-107 win over the Trail Blazers.

Immanuel Quickley tonight:

26 points (team high)
10 setbacks
3 assists
57/50/86 splits
76.1% DS
+8

This will be normal lol pic.twitter.com/SBDAQNENWx

— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) March 15, 2023

Immanuel Quickley lost a team-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds and three dimes, while All-Star Julius Randle was solid again with 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. RJ Barrett was the third starter with 20+ points with 22 points and five boards.

Josh Hart was a jack of all trades off the bench, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals. New York is 11-3 since adding it at the close.

The Knicks’ defense has become a real strength and will be tested against a legitimate offense. New York has the seventh-best scoring defense while holding the third-best field goal (45.5%) and three-point shooting defense (34.6).

Nuggets vs Knicks Betting Prediction

There’s also a fierce matchup on the inside, with New York having the best paint-scoring defense and holding teams to 47 points per game — the only team to go under 50 and eight points clear of second place. Denver lives on the inside and scores 55 color points per game, which ranks fourth.

Have the Nuggets been through this ugly stretch? They are currently 1-5 against the spread in their last six, while the Knicks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven home games.

Denver hasn’t fared well as a street favorite at 8-13-0 ATS, but they have 4-0 ATS in their last four trips to Gotham.

Watch for this trend to continue as Brunson’s loss against a real competitor proves too great.

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