The New York Knicks will look to ride their eight-game winning streak into 2025 as they host the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Day.
Utah is having one of its worst years in franchise history, but the spread is large enough that I’m taking them to cover in my Jazz vs. Knicks predictions below.
Let’s dive into this matchup and all my best bets in my free NBA picks for Wednesday, January 1.
Jazz vs Knicks prediction
My best bet
Jazz +13 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The New York Knicks finished 2024 on a high note, winning 13 out of their last 15 games to move into a fight for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with the Boston Celtics. New York is beginning to look like a championship contender, and bookmakers are treating them as such. That’s why, despite all their success, the Knicks have only covered the increasingly large spreads they’re laying in two of their last four games and six of the last 10.
The Knicks will have to beat another big number for bettors to cash in on them tonight, as they’ve been made 13.5-point favorites over the woeful Utah Jazz. Utah is just 7-24 on the year and have lost four in a row. With injuries to the likes of John Collins, Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson at various points this year has made this season more about securing a high draft pick than developing talent.
However, the Jazz have been more competitive than their record would suggest. Utah has covered the spread in five of their last six games, covering numbers ranging from 1.5 to 14 points. While the Jazz have often faded down the stretch in these games, that’s cost them wins without hurting bettors who have taken the points.
Utah even showed this strength earlier this year against the Knicks. New York suffered a rare loss on November 23, taking a 121-106 defeat on the road to the Jazz. Markkanen went off for 34 points in that contest, with five other players scoring in double figures.
We can’t expect the Jazz to pull off a similar upset tonight in New York. But with Utah being relatively healthy tonight – only Collins is likely out – I expect them to put up a solid fight. The Jazz have arguably been the worst defensive team in the NBA, ranking dead last in defensive efficiency, but they have the offensive weapons to stick around in high-scoring games. The Knicks rate as an average defensive squad – their slow pace masks an average defensive efficiency – and Utah has enough weapons to score consistently, even if they can’t stop anyone.
This spread marks a 28-point swing from the actual result when these two teams played in Utah. Another Jazz win would be a stunning upset, but Utah should cover the spread.
Jazz vs Knicks same-game parlay
Jazz +13.5
Over 228.5
Lauri Markkanen Over 20.5 points
I like the Jazz to keep this one close enough to cover a big double-digit spread, so I’ll be taking one of their stars to have a big game as part of that effort. Let’s lean into Lauri Markkanen to hit his Over at 20.5 points. Markkanen has done so in five of his last six games, and should continue to make up the bulk of the Utah offense in tonight’s game.
I’m rounding out my SGP with a bet on the Over. Both teams have trended towards the Over this year, and those trends have continued as of late, with the Knicks hitting the Over in four of their last five games and Utah doing so in nine out of the past 10 outings. I’m expecting both offenses to cook enough to get Over the 228.5 total tonight.
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Jazz vs Knicks odds
Jazz vs Knicks live odds
Jazz vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Utah +12.5 | New York -12.5
- Moneyline: Utah +550 | New York -800
- Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Odds courtesy of bet365
Jazz vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Knicks are 17-15-1 against the spread this year, slightly better than the Jazz, who are 15-16 ATS.
- Utah is 1-0 ATS against New York so far this season.
- The Over enjoys a 19-14 edge in Knicks games, as well as an 18-13 record when the Jazz play.
- New York has played to an average total of 227.6 ppg, while Utah is averaging a total of 230.8 ppg.
Jazz vs Knicks trend
Utah is 4-0 ATS in its last four road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Knicks.
How to watch Jazz vs Knicks
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-1-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | KJZZ, H MSG, SN |
Jazz vs Knicks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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