Nets vs Knicks Free Pick, NBA Free Pick & Predictions 1/21/25

J.A. Cavalier
Jan 21
2 min read

NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS

Nets vs Knicks Free Pick

The “Battle of the Boroughs” returns to Madison Square Garden tonight as the New York Knicks host the Brooklyn Nets, and this edition of the rivalry sets up as a potential one-sided affair. New York enters at 25–18 and heavily favored, motivated to respond after a brief two-game skid that prompted a players-only meeting aimed at tightening focus and execution.

Brooklyn, meanwhile, continues to struggle away from home. The Nets arrive at 12–28 and have dropped five straight road games, a stretch marked by inconsistent offense and an inability to sustain defensive intensity for four quarters.

From an analytical standpoint, this matchup tilts strongly toward the Knicks. New York’s offensive efficiency has been a steady strength throughout the season, particularly in the halfcourt, where they generate high-quality looks without relying on pace. That efficiency is complemented by one of the league’s most reliable rebounding profiles, allowing the Knicks to control possessions and create second-chance opportunities that wear opponents down.

If New York establishes its physical presence early—especially on the glass—this game has the potential to separate quickly. Brooklyn’s road struggles and difficulty closing defensive possessions align poorly against a Knicks team built to punish inefficiency, setting the stage for a dominant performance at MSG.

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FREE PICK Under 221.5

Alright, let’s hit the Battle of the Boroughs Under 221.5, because this rivalry isn’t basketball, it’s a traffic jam. The Knicks play at a bottom-five pace in the league this season, and at home they slow games down even more—long possessions, heavy halfcourt sets, and zero interest in helping your Over ticket. New York also ranks top ten in Defensive Rating, top tier in points allowed per possession, and they rebound like they’re hoarding possessions for winter. Brooklyn doesn’t help either—they’re bottom ten in offensive efficiency, miserable in the halfcourt, and on the road they score like it’s a preseason scrimmage. And historically, this matchup is allergic to points—grind-it-out games, bad spacing, late-clock jumpers, rinse and repeat. The market hanging 221.5 tells me the public sees a rivalry and assumes fireworks, but sharps see tempo control, defensive rebounding, and long stretches of absolutely nothing happening. This is not a shootout, it’s a rock fight in work boots—and if you’re betting the Over here, you’re basically rooting for the Knicks to abandon everything they’re good at. Give me the Under and let everyone else sweat empty possessions