The Knicks face a crucial contest when they face off with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are playing at home and have the superior record, so clearly they will be the favorites.
The Knicks hope to put behind them the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors and the recent Charles Oakley saga with owner James Dolan and play well in this one. It remains to be seen if the season has spiraled too far out of control and if New York is ready to pack it in.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Catch every moment of the game live on ESPN.
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The Thunder are 31-24 straight up and 30-25 against the spread. Oklahoma City has played in 27 home games on the season and has been really impressive, covering in 17 of them. The Thunder have gone 22-11 against the spread as the favorite this season, much better than its record as the underdog.
The Knicks are 23-33 straight up and 30-26 against the spread. New York has played in 27 road games this season and has covered 14 of them. The Knicks have gone 19-17 against the spread as underdogs this season.
Player to Watch
Russell Westbrook -- The Thunder’s star guard has been unreal this season. He has averaged 31.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.2 assists and seems destined to finish the season averaging a triple-double, which would be an unbelievable accomplishment.
He put up 47 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists recently against the Warriors but the team lost in a blowout. As good as Westbrook has been, he doesn’t have a great supporting cast.
He will once again need to put up a huge performance, but that shouldn’t be a problem as Westbrook is the front-runner for the MVP and has made a habit out of wowing people with his individual exploits.
Letdown Situation
The Thunder have gone through a gauntlet in their past four games. It began with a road game against the Pacers before back-to-back home games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Most recently, they had to hit the road to face off against the surging Washington Wizards.
This is the first time in awhile Oklahoma City will be playing a lottery team, and it may result in them discounting the Knicks, who are disheveled with some much swirling controversy.
The Thunder may believe they have this one in the bag before it starts, but to do so would be dangerous. Westbrook is clearly the most talented played on the court, but the Knicks have a star in Carmelo Anthony and some decent supporting players.
If Oklahoma City is not mentally tuned into this one after a tough prior stretch, it could result in a loss.
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The Knicks are two-and-a-half games out of the final playoff spot in the East but would have to leapfrog several teams to get it. New York has dealt with so many problems of late that it’s fair to wonder if the season will turn around at all.
The Thunder is the better team and has the home court advantage, so it will take an off game for the Knicks to have a chance. However, the belief is that, for one day at least, the Knicks will have a shot to take out a team which will be looking forward to the All-Star break.
The Knicks will pay off handsomely if they can pull the upset, and that’s the call in this one.
NBA Odds: Knicks 111, Thunder 109
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