NBA

OKC Thunder vs New York Knicks: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

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2 days ago

January 3, 2025

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OKC Thunder vs New York Knicks: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

The OKC Thunder will host the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. Friday.

OKC (28-5) earned a 116-98 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. The Thunder is on a franchise-record win streak of 13 games.

New York (24-10) earned a 119-103 home win over Utah on Wednesday. The Knicks have won nine straight games, which is the second-longest active win streak in the league behind the Thunder.

Here’s a preview of the Thunder-Knicks game, including score predictions, betting odds and injury updates.

Thunder vs. Knicks prediction, picks

Justin Martinez: OKC 115, New York 111

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been on fire lately, but every bucket will be earned against the Knicks’ wealth of perimeter defenders. And while Jalen Brunson (calf) is listed as questionable, he forms an elite scoring duo with Karl-Anthony Towns when healthy. OKC will be tested in this one, but the difference will be New York’s lack of rim protection with Towns at the five. He has allowed opponents to shoot 67.7% from inside six feet this season, which is the highest percentage of any starting center in the league. That’s great news for OKC, which should attack the rim with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way.

Thunder vs. Knicks betting odds

Odds courtesy of via BetMGM as of Friday, Jan. 3

Odds: Thunder by 4.5

Over/under: 222.5

Moneyline: OKC -190 | New York +155

Thunder vs. Knicks injury updates

Thunder: Not yet submitted.

Knicks: Jalen Brunson (right calf tightness) is questionable. Pacome Dadiet (G League assignment) is out. Ariel Hukporti (G League assignment) is out. Miles McBride (left hamstring tightness) is questionable. Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League two-way) is out. Mitchell Robinson (left ankle surgery) is out.

Projected Thunder starting lineup

(With season averages)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 31.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists
Cason Wallace: 6.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals
Lu Dort: 9.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists
Jalen Williams: 20.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists
Isaiah Hartenstein: 12.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks

Projected Knicks starting lineup

Jalen Brunson: 25.2 points, 3 rebounds and 7.7 assists
Josh Hart: 14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists
Mikal Bridges: 18.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists
OG Anunoby: 16.5 points, 5 rebounds and 1.5 steals
Karl-Anthony Towns: 24.9 points, 13.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists

How to watch Thunder vs. Knicks

OKC will host New York at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, on FanDuel Sports Network and NBA TV.

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