- The New York Knicks face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a clash of red-hot teams on Friday night
- The Thunder are 4.5-point favorites and -185 on the moneyline in the latest NBA odds
- See below for Knicks vs Thunder predictions, odds and props for Jan. 3
The surging New York Knicks (24-10) head to Paycom Center to battle the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-5) on Friday night at 8:00 PM EST in a marquee matchup between two of the NBA’s hottest teams. Both squads are riding impressive winning streaks and looking to make a statement against an elite opponent.
The Knicks extended their surge to nine straight victories with a 119-103 win over the Utah Jazz, while the Thunder ran their streak to 13 games by taking down the LA Clippers 116-98. OKC is favored to keep rolling at home.
Here is a look at our Knicks vs Thunder prediction for Friday night in Oklahoma City.
Knicks vs Thunder Prediction
- Best Bet: Over 223.5 (-110) at ESPN Bet
OKC has ripped off 13 straight wins, while New York rides a scorching nine-game streak. One of these impressive runs ends Friday night.
Though Thibs and Daigneault are known for their defensive chops, recent Knicks vs Thunder matchups have consistently gone over the total. In fact, four of their last five meetings in OKC have all hit the over, with all but one of those topping 248 combined points. Both offenses have been clicking during their respective win streaks as well.
The Knicks rank 3rd in offensive rating (120.1) over their nine-game run, while the Thunder offense has climbed from 11th to 5th during their 13-game surge. Betting action and sharp money coming in on the over has moved the line up. The Knicks are also playing at a faster pace than their No. 23 ranking suggests.
“The offense is here. For sure. He picked a hell of a day to do it.”
– Karl-Anthony Towns on Mikal Bridges’ 41-point Christmas Day effort pic.twitter.com/uMgKPlptbg
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 25, 2024
Expect the Knicks to push the tempo against a tired OCK team in the second game of a back-to-back. Subsequently, OKC’s elite defense is expected to slip a bit due to the fatigue of playing their 5th game in 7 days.
I’m backing the over as the best bet for this marquee matchup. The Knicks and Thunder have the offensive firepower and recent history of high-scoring affairs to send this one over the total, even with strong defenses on both sides.
In terms of the spread play, I lean toward Oklahoma City -4.5 due to their stellar 15-2 home record. They have covered in six of their past seven games overall, but their back-to-back situation makes my most confident play the game total.
NYK vs OKC Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 30.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 4.5 (Ov -150 | Un +115) | 5.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 1.5 (Ov -210 | Un +135) |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) | 23.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | 13.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 2.5 (Ov -160 | Un +115) | 1.5 (Ov -180 | Un +125) |
| Jalen Brunson (NYK) | 23.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 2.5 (Ov -170 | Un +125) | 7.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) | 2.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) |
| Jalen Williams (OKC) | 20.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120) | 5.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) | 1.5 (Ov -140 | Un +105) |
| Mikal Bridges (NYK) | 17.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 3.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 3.5 (Ov +115 | Un -160) | 2.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) |
| Josh Hart (NYK) | 13.5 (Ov +100 | Un -130) | 8.5 (Ov -140 | Un +110) | 5.5 (Ov -160 | Un +115) | 1.5 (Ov +125 | Un -180) |
| Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC) | 11.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 10.5 (Ov -125 | Un -110) | 3.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | N/A |
| OG Anunoby (NYK) | 15.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 4.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 1.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 2.5 (Ov +130 | Un -200) |
| Luguentz Dort (OKC) | 9.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 3.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120) | 1.5 (Ov +125 | Un -180) | 2.5 (Ov +140 | Un -220) |
NBA player props from ESPN Bet on Jan. 3.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s points over/under of 30.5 stands out given his 31.2 ppg average this season. The Thunder star has gone over that number in 21 of 33 games.
3 minutes of SGA frying the league pic.twitter.com/SeBRl8aY4d
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 1, 2025
Karl-Anthony Towns also has an intriguing rebounding prop at 13.5. He’s averaging 13.7 boards per game and has gone over 13.5 in 11 of his last 15. With Isaiah Hartenstein likely to focus on helping the defense vs New York’s drivers, Towns should feast on the glass.
Other props to consider are Josh Hart over 5.5 assists (-160) and Mikal Bridges over 2.5 threes made (-105). Hart has dished out at least six dimes in eight of his last 10, while Bridges leads the NBA in corner 3s and will get plenty of open looks vs OKC.
New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +4.5 (-105) | +155 | Over 223.5 (-110) |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -4.5 (-115) | -185 | Under 223.5 (-110) |
The Thunder head into Friday’s showdown as 4.5-point favorites, with their -185 moneyline price giving them a 64.9% implied probability of extending their win streak to 14 games. The Knicks are +155 underdogs, suggesting just a 39.2% shot at snapping OKC’s run.
OKC being favored is no surprise given their home dominance and NBA-best 28-5 record. New York has been on an impressive streak of its own but faces a stiff test on the road in this spot.
The total is set at 223.5 points, a number these teams have eclipsed in four of the past five meetings in Oklahoma City. With two clicking offenses and some defensive fatigue expected, the over is the smart play here.
Odds as of January 3, 2025, at ESPN Sportsbook. Unlock the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on NYK vs OCK.
The New York Knicks will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, January 3rd in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had their fair share of struggles this season, but they will be looking to turn things around and start the new year on a positive note.
When it comes to predicting the outcome of this game, it’s important to consider a few key factors. The Knicks have been dealing with injuries to key players such as RJ Barrett and Marcus Morris, which has undoubtedly impacted their performance on the court. On the other hand, the Thunder have been playing solid basketball as of late, with players like Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way.
In terms of player props, there are a few players to keep an eye on in this matchup. For the Knicks, Julius Randle has been a consistent performer this season and will likely be a key player for them in this game. Look for him to put up solid numbers in points and rebounds. For the Thunder, Chris Paul is always a threat on the court and should be a player to watch for in terms of assists and steals.
As for the odds, the Thunder are currently favored to win this game, but anything can happen in the NBA. The Knicks will need to come out strong and play with intensity if they want to pull off an upset on the road.
Overall, this game has the potential to be a close and competitive matchup between two teams looking to make a statement. Keep an eye on key players and watch for any momentum shifts throughout the game. It should be an exciting contest for fans of both teams.