After losing nine straight to the Nets when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were there, the Knicks have won three straight in the series. They are 9-2 since the OG Anunoby trade with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle thriving. Brooklyn is in free-fall and just suffered one of the craziest losses/non covers of the season at the Clippers on Sunday. I'm sure everything will turn around when Ben Simmons is back. LOL. At this point, Richard Simmons probably would be valuable to the Nets than that clown. Maybe Ben should try Sweatin to the Oldies ...

Julius Randle does not hit this number against Brooklyn. He has gone under in his last 6 matchups against them, four of which were on the road. The Model projects him for just 36 PRA here. I think this true line should be closer to 38 but we are getting a better number here with so much of the public on the over.

Jalen Brunson no doubt has been on a recent tear. He has put up a 52 and 57 PRA in his last two games, which has raised this line well over his 37 season average. He is yet to go three straight games over this total this season. When these two teams met in December, Brunson only posted a 31 PRA. I'm looking for some regression to the mean of his recent stretch.

The Knicks continue as a solid go-with proposition ever since the addition of OJ Anunoby from the Raptors at the start of the month. Anunoby's ability to cover ground defensively on the perimeter has opened up lots of possibilities for Tom Thibodeau, who is loving what this flexibility affords his defensive schemes. New York is 9-2 SU with Anunoby, and makes the short ride over to Brooklyn, while the Nets return from a West Coast trip in a bit of a stupor after watching the Clippers score the last 22 points of Sunday's game, and a tenth loss in the last twelve games. Play Knicks

This is a chunky number for Julius Randle who averages a combined 38.3 PRA on the season. This game also has the makings of a slow paced down affair between two teams that rank in then bottom 10 in possessions per game. Brookyln's defense has been incredibly stingy against opposing PF's this season. The Nets surrender the fewest combined PRA to the position. Look for a low scoring affair where points are hard to come by and I expect Jalen Brunson and the Knicks backcourt to lead the way offensively.

The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a West Coast road trip that should have fared better than the results. Two games they let slip away. One against Portland which they blew a four point lead late, and Sunday up 11 against the Clippers they failed to score in the final five minutes. Look for a strong response in a rivalry game against the New York Knicks. Tail the Nets as home underdogs.