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Free NBA Picks New York Knicks: Season-Long Handicapping and Specialization 12/30/2024

by Spencer Toth - 12/30/2024

Free NBA picks New York Knicks season long handicapping Jalen Brunson

The New York Knicks will look to extend their seven-game win streak as they attempt to pull off back-to-back road wins in Washington. Doc’s Sports will provide free best bets for every New York Knicks game this season, as we look to string together our third consecutive winning season. 

On Friday night, the Knicks clamped up a shorthanded Orlando Magic side in their 108-85 victory. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led the way offensively with 26 and 23 points, respectively, but it was New York’s defense that allowed them to pick up the win. Orlando was outscored 54-31 in the second half after they entered the break tied 54-54. 

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From a betting perspective, we had another winning night. The New York Knicks moneyline at -275 odds was our massive 8-unit pick of the night, and it was a relatively sweat-free second half after a nervous opening pair of frames. We also tailed the Orlando Magic Under 103.5 points, as the injuries to the Magic’s best scorers ensured New York would be able to limit their high percentage looks. Finally, we took Miles McBride to score 10+ points at +130 odds, but he took only four shots and finished with five points. 

New York followed up their victory in Orlando with an overtime triumph against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. Brunson’s season-high 55 points got the Knicks over the line, with 42 of those points coming in the second half and overtime. New York overcame a double digit third quarter deficit and clawed back the final five points in the final minute of the game. 

Tonight, the New York Knicks (22-10) will look to make it two straight wins in Washington as they have a quick rematch against the Wizards (5-24). Washington played well against the Knicks to force an extra period against one of the league’s top teams, but it is hard to envision that happening again tonight. New York shot just 25% from behind the arc compared to the Wizards 45%. Washington’s 21 extra points from behind the arc on three fewer shots played a huge role in keeping the underdogs close. 

The Wizards have several promising talents on their roster, but their clear goal is to remain at the bottom of the standings to try their hand at the NBA draft lottery. Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole show flashes of brilliance, but their inability to play consistent basketball is a driving force as to why they spearhead the league’s worst team. Poole’s 21.3 PPG is on pace for his career high, but he has been incredibly inefficient at leading the offense. Late in the shot clock, Poole has been forced to take bad shots, and his overall shot selection has seen him score only 43.2% of his attempts from the floor this season. Washington lacks the veteran leadership to guide their young talent, and they have been lost on the defensive end as a result. 

New York is marching full steam ahead with the turn of the calendar right around the corner and looks poised to secure a top 3 seed this season. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have become a devastating duo in the pick-and-roll, and they will cause havoc against a disorganized Wizards defense. Brunson is surrounded by capable scorers, but it is clear he is still the primary option in New York. Since coming to the Knicks, Brunson has scored 24, 28.7, and 25.5 PPG in his first two and a half seasons. His ability to pull up from deep keeps defenses honest, but his real bread and butter is the midrange floater. He can elevate and release incredibly quickly, and by the time the defense realizes he is shooting, it is usually already too late. The Wizards don’t have a primary on-ball defender like Dyson Daniels or Jrue Holiday, which has allowed elite point guards to cook them all season long. It was no fluke that Brunson scored 55 points against the Wizards, and he will look to pile on the points once again tonight. 

What makes the Knicks so effective on the offensive end is their scoring depth. Towns and Brunson may run the show, but the impact of Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart on the offensive end cannot be overemphasized. It is rare to see players with the scoring caliber of Brunson surrounded by shooters that keep defenses honest, but that is exactly what is brewing in New York. If the defense commits multiple bodies to Brunson, he will keep his head up and find the open man. His unselfish play makes him the perfect leader for this team, and Washington is just one more stepping stone for the Knicks as they look to put together a dominant regular season. 

New York is coming into this matchup as a -12 point favorite. While that may seem surprising after their overtime tilt against this exact team just two days ago, it is justified. It is very unlikely the Knicks shoot 20% worse from three-point land than the Wizards again tonight, and when those numbers regress back to the mean, New York will build a significant advantage on the scoreboard. They will not take this matchup lightly and will look to build a big lead as early as possible to get some rest with a tough schedule upcoming. Look for the Knicks to build a double-digit first-half lead then cruise to a relatively sweat-free win and cover in Washington. 

For our player prop of the night, we will be taking Jalen Brunson to get involved on the glass. This isn’t the flashiest pick, but Brunson has been putting in effort on both ends of the floor over the last month. He has collected three or more rebounds in eight of his last 10 games, including three straight. His commitment at both ends is why he is the leader of this team, and when Washington clanks several triples off the iron he will surpass this low line. We are being asked to lay some juice, but it is still well worth the inflated odds for such a likely prop. 

Pick: New York Knicks (-12) 6 Units

Pick: Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 Rebounds -160 8 Units

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