The New York Knicks host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in a crosstown matchup during NBA Rivals Week 2026. Both teams enter struggling, with the Knicks on a four-game losing streak and the Nets dropping seven of their last eight. New York is a heavy 11.5-point favorite at Madison Square Garden.
The Brooklyn Nets (12-29) travel to face the New York Knicks (25-18) at 7:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. This game highlights NBA Rivals Week 2026, featuring a historic rivalry where the Knicks lead the all-time series 118-112. New York has dominated recently, winning the last 12 meetings, including a high-scoring 232-point affair at MSG in November.
Both squads are mired in slumps. The Nets lost 126-117 to Phoenix on Monday, marking their second straight defeat. The Knicks fell 114-97 to Dallas on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, extending their skid to four games. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Knicks are 11.5-point favorites with a moneyline of -621, while the Nets sit at +451. The over/under is set at 220.5 points.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates games 10,000 times and has a strong track record on NBA picks, projects the total at 228 points, favoring the over in 54% of simulations. It notes both teams rank among the bottom four in opponent three-point percentage allowed, contributing to high-scoring potential. The Knicks have a clean injury report, with six players expected to score in double figures and two surpassing 20 points.
For Brooklyn, second-leading scorer Cam Thomas returns after missing the previous game and is one of five Nets projected for over 10 points. The last two Nets games exceeded their totals, aligning with the model's over prediction. An against-the-spread pick from the model hits in over 50% of simulations, though specifics require checking SportsLine.
This matchup underscores the teams' defensive woes on the perimeter, setting the stage for an entertaining, if uneven, contest.
