A pair of red-hot teams face off at Paycom Center on Friday night when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the New York Knicks.
OKC has the second-best record in the league thanks in part to the play of Isaiah Hartenstein, and my Knicks vs. Thunder predictions are betting on the big man against his former team. Here are my best free NBA picks for this marquee matchup on January 3.
Knicks vs Thunder prediction
My best bet
Isaiah Hartenstein Double-Double - Yes (+105 at bet365)
My analysis
The Oklahoma City Thunder needed to beef up their frontcourt in the offseason and signed Isaiah Hartenstein away from the New York Knicks for a 3-year, $87 million contract. The seven-foot, 250-pound center has lived up that contract by averaging 12.6 points and 12.2 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per game.
Hartenstein is fresh off a game against the Clippers where he scored 11 points with nine rebounds. He fell just shy of a double-double in that contest, but he was also limited to 23 minutes in a blowout victory.
That was just the fifth time in 18 games this season that the center failed to get a double-double. It's also worth mentioning that in all of those games where he didn't get a double-double, the Thunder won by at least 15 points, which led to reduced playing time in four of those contests.
With OKC on a back-to-back and facing a Knicks squad that has won nine in a row, this should be a competitive contest. This will lead to a heavy workload for Hartenstein, especially since the Thunder will need their best big on the floor to handle All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns. The revenge angle for Hartenstein against his former team is just icing on the cake for this prop.
Knicks vs Thunder same-game parlay
Isaiah Hartenstein Double-Double - Yes
Under 219.5
Thunder moneyline
With this game taking place between two of the best teams in the NBA, we could see playoff-like intensity and tough defense. The Knicks have tightened up on defense over the last month, allowing the second-fewest points per game (105.6) over the last 15 games. The only team better than the Knicks over that span are the Thunder, who have held foes to 102.5 ppg in their last 15 contests.
With how well the Knicks have been playing lately and with OKC on a back-to-back, I'm wary of laying 4.5 points with the Thunder. That said, the Thunder have gone 14-2 at home, and that advantage along with their ability to lock up New York's perimeter shooters should lead to a win.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Knicks vs Thunder odds
Knicks vs Thunder live odds
Knicks vs Thunder opening odds
- Spread: New York +5 | Oklahoma City -5
- Moneyline: New York +175 | Oklahoma City -210
- Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Knicks vs Thunder spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Knicks have won nine games in a row while going 7-2 against the spread during that span.
- The Thunder are 13-1 SU and 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 contests.
- Jalen Brunson is officially questionable with a calf strain that sidelined him Wednesday, but the injury isn't serious and books have props on the All-Star PG.
Knicks vs Thunder trend
The Under is 7-3-1 in Oklahoma City's last 11 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Thunder.
How to watch Knicks vs Thunder
| Location: | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date: | Friday, 1-3-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Knicks vs Thunder latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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