Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions January 3rd 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks January 3rd 2025

The Knicks will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in a non-conference matchup. New York is currently on a nine-game winning streak and has a record of 24-10. The Thunder are favored by 4.5 points and have a record of 28-5.

This game will tip-off at 8:00 ET and can be seen on NBA TV. The over/under line for this game is currently 221.5 points.

Knicks vs. Thunder Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder
• Where: Oklahoma City at Paycom Center
• Date: Friday, January 3rd
• Betting Odds OKC -4.5, NY +157 | OKC -190 O/U 221.5

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks improved to 24-10 on the season with a 119-103 win over the Jazz on Wednesday. Playing at home, New York entered the game as -12 favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game came in at 222, falling short of the O/U line of 228.

After trailing 25-24 at the end of the 1st quarter, the Knicks took control by outscoring the Jazz 32-21 in the 2nd quarter. Although Utah edged New York 33-31 in the 3rd quarter, the Knicks closed out the game strong, winning the 4th quarter 32-24.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks to a win over the Jazz, posting 31 points and 21 rebounds, with 11 points in the 4th quarter. Mikal Bridges added 27 points, and OG Anunoby contributed 22, scoring 12 in the 3rd quarter.

The Knicks shot 55.3% from the field, though they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 9 threes at a 39.1% rate. Towns made 3 threes, shooting 50% from deep.

The Knicks put together a strong defensive performance on Wednesday, holding the Jazz to 103 points. They were particularly effective in the 2nd and 4th quarters, where they allowed just 21 and 24 points, respectively. New York limited Utah to 40% shooting overall.

From beyond the arc, the Knicks held the Jazz to 13 made threes on 30% shooting. They also sent Utah to the free-throw line 15 times, where the Jazz converted 12. Defensively, the Knicks recorded 10 steals and 6 blocked shots.

• When looking at their past three road matchups, New York has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 123 per game. The team went 3-0 overall in these games.
• The Knicks have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• Over their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Thunder Can Win If…

Oklahoma City improved to 28-5 on the season with a 116-98 win over the Clippers on Thursday. Playing at home, the Thunder were favored by 12 points and covered the spread. The game’s total points finished at 214, just under the 214.5-point line.

After trailing 30-22 after the 1st quarter, the Thunder turned things around by winning the 2nd quarter 26-22. They dominated the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Clippers 42-20, and went into the 4th quarter with a 90-72 lead. Both teams scored 26 points in the final period.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a win over the Clippers, scoring 29 points with 15 coming in the 3rd quarter. He also added 8 assists and shot 52.9% from the field, hitting 2 threes at 40%.

Jalen Williams contributed 18 points, with 10 in the 3rd quarter. Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein each added 11 points, with Mitchell scoring 7 in the 4th. The Thunder shot 50% from the field, making 14 threes at 36.8%.

The Thunder held the Clippers to just 98 points on Thursday, thanks to strong defensive efforts in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, where they allowed only 22 and 20 points, respectively. Oklahoma City limited Los Angeles to 11 made threes on 34% shooting from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma City sent the Clippers to the line 17 times, where they made 11 free throws. The Thunder grabbed 31 defensive rebounds while allowing 10 offensive boards. They also added 11 steals and 3 blocks.

• When looking at their past five home matchups, Oklahoma City has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 110 per game. The team went 5-0 overall in these games.
• The last ten games that Oklahoma City was favored, they have an ATS mark of 7-2-1 while going 10-0 straight up.
• In their last five games, the Thunder have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 4-0-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

As the underdogs with a spread of +4.5, we recommend going with the Knicks on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 221.5, and our model projects the Knicks and Thunder to reach a combined total of 257 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Red-Hot Thunder and Knicks Collide in Showdown of Streaking Teams

The Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks, two of the NBA’s hottest teams, are set to face off on Friday night in Oklahoma City. With both teams riding impressive win streaks, this game promises high stakes and an electrifying showdown.

The Knicks enter the matchup with a nine-game winning streak, one of the longest in franchise history, while the Thunder boast a 13-game streak, their longest since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. For Oklahoma City, a win would tie their all-time franchise record, set during the 1995-96 season when the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

Thunder Focus on Defense, Team Play

Under head coach Mark Daigneault, the Thunder have developed one of the league’s stingiest defenses, allowing a league-low 103.2 points per game. Their defensive prowess has fueled their success during this stretch, with the team demonstrating exceptional discipline and focus on every possession.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the cornerstone of the Thunder’s success, averaging 31.2 points per game this season. Despite Oklahoma City’s dominant win over the Clippers on Thursday, Gilgeous-Alexander got to rest the fourth quarter, leaving him fresh for Friday’s contest.

This game will also mark Isaiah Hartenstein’s first matchup against the Knicks since joining Oklahoma City. Hartenstein’s size and versatility add an additional layer of intrigue to this meeting.

Knicks Look to Depth Amid Injuries

The Knicks have been one of the league’s most potent offensive teams, ranking fifth in scoring at 117.9 points per game. Their recent surge has been fueled by contributions from their deep roster.

New York may again be without starting point guard Jalen Brunson (right calf tightness) and Miles McBride (left hamstring tightness), both listed as questionable after missing Wednesday’s win over Utah. However, their absence didn’t slow the Knicks, as Cameron Payne stepped in with nine assists in 35 minutes, both season highs.

Josh Hart highlighted the Knicks’ depth as a key to their continued success.

“We have great depth,” Hart said. “It just shows the difference between last year and this year.”

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Strength vs. Strength

This game pits Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense against New York’s explosive offense, setting the stage for a compelling clash. The Thunder will aim to smother the Knicks’ scoring efforts, while New York will look to capitalize on its offensive depth and versatility.

Friday’s contest is the first of two meetings between the teams this season, with the next scheduled for one week later in New York.