Knicks vs Nuggets Picks and Predictions: NYK Falters at High Altitude

The New York Knicks are in a tailspin and are running out of time to pull up. The Knicks have lost nine of their last 11 games and now will play their second game in as many nights as they visit the Denver Nuggets and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

Denver just ended a losing streak of its own last time out, but the team has played relatively well considering all the injuries they’ve had to deal with. Is that well enough to cover the large chalk tonight against New York?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Knicks vs. Nuggets on February 8.

Knicks vs Nuggets odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Nuggets opened this matchup as 8-point home favorites and have seen the early money, moving the line to 8.5. The total has seen a little more action. After hitting the board at 221 it’s already down to 219.5.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Knicks vs Nuggets predictions

• Prediction: Nuggets -8.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 219.5 (-110)
• Best bet: RJ Barrett Over 21.5 points (-115)

Predictions made on 2/8/2022 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Knicks vs Nuggets game info

• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
• Tip-off: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ALT, MSG

Knicks vs Nuggets betting preview

Key injuries

Knicks: Nerlens Noel C (Questionable), Quentin Grimes SG (Questionable), Derrick Rose PG (Out).
Nuggets: Austin Rivers (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Over is 4-1 in the Knicks' last five games as an underdog and is 7-1-1 in the Nuggets' last nine at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Nuggets.

Knicks vs Nuggets picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

Losers of nine of their last 11, the Knicks appear to be imploding at an alarming rate. They have fallen all the way to 12th place in the Eastern Conference following a collapse last night against the Utah Jazz and now will play the second half of a back-to-back.

The Knicks offense has been the culprit for this slump. New York ranks next-to-last in the NBA when it comes offensive rating and 27th in effective field goal % over this 11-game stretch. The Knicks just haven’t been able to get reliable scoring outside of RJ Barrett and that could mean trouble if they want to keep up with the Nuggets.

Led by Nikola Jokic, Denver ranks 10th in offensive rating over their last 10 games, where the defending MVP is averaging 28.3 points on a ridiculous 62.7% from the floor while adding 12.8 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game over that span.

And it’s not like the Knicks have been world-beaters on defense recently, ranking 13th in defensive rating during this slump. 

This is almost enough points to consider backing the Knicks. But last night’s loss must have been so deflating, combined with the fact they are playing their second game in as many nights at altitude in Denver. We’re leaning towards the Nuggets here.

Prediction: Nuggets -8.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

The side for this one might be a little tough to have confidence in but the total looks like a safer bet. The early money has come in on the Under, likely because this is a matchup of teams who play at a slow pace. But that number is low enough for us to attack the other side. 

For starters, Denver should be able to do much of the heavy lifting here. As mentioned, the offense is humming behind Jokic, putting up 116.9 points per game over the last 10 games. That is the third-most in the NBA over that span. Now, they face a Knicks defense that has allowed 110+ points in five of their last six games surrendering 114 per game over that span.

Meanwhile, the Knicks' offense could put up a dud here, but even so, they should be able to do enough to send this one Over, particularly going against a middle-of-the-pack Denver defense. The Nuggets rank 17th in defensive rating and are allowing 111.6 points per game over their last 10 contests.

Prediction: Over 219.5 (-110)

Best bet

Despite New York’s recent struggles, in general, you can’t blame RJ Barrett. He’s been pretty much the only Knick you can rely on these days. 

The third-year-man out of Duke is averaging 23.3 on 43.2% shooting over his last 14 games while logging a big 36.4 minutes per game. So, getting 21.5 for his points total seems like a good deal. Particularly when you consider the Nuggets' average defense and the fact he’s gone Over that number nine times over this 14 game stretch.

Bet on the Knicks to keep riding their young star in this one.

Pick: RJ Barrett Over 21.5 points (-115)

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