An epic cross conference battle takes place between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. Two teams on opposite ends of momentum meet at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks are currently -2.5-point favorites and have the better record. This one should be a high scoring, action packed game featuring two of the best big men in the Association.

 

 

 

Denver Nuggets: No More Messin’ About

The Denver Nuggets have dropped two in a row and are trying to find the win column during their five-game road trip. The Nuggets are holding onto a top four spot in the Western Conference, but it is a quick and steep fall. Only 4.0 games separate fourth from tenth, and the Nuggets cannot afford to lose ground.

The Nuggets have allowed a combined 162 points over their last two games. The Knicks have scored 143 points in each of their last two games, and Denver may once again try to outpace their team to victory. If they want to win, defense will be needed, and they have to have a No More Messin’ About mentality.

 

 

 

New York Knicks: If I Ain’t Got You

The city of New York has not had a professional Men’s championship since the 2009 New York Yankees. And who actually likes the Yankees? The iconic, sports loving city full of diehard fans have had nothing to cheer about over the past two decades. The Knicks have not won a championship since 1973, yet the Knicks fans are forever faithful. 

As FSWA inaugural Hall of Fame member, and lifelong New York resident, Scott Engel once told me, the Knicks are the most beloved New York franchise. Yankees/Mets depending on who’s playing better. Giants/Jets only one team has been successful but the city is more or less split. The Knicks are cemented in the heart of the city, and New York rallies when the Knicks are playing well. Nothing else matters.

Right now, the Knicks are the toast of the town, are third in the Eastern Conference, on a four-game win streak, and have won seven of their last ten games. This is the best Knicks team since the Patrick Ewing era, and the Knicks faithful are singing, ‘.... everything means nothing, babe, if I Ain’t Got You!’. 

They have them and the Knicks have a good chance to earn their fifth win in a row and make New York feel on top of the world.

 

 

 

Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup

New York Knicks Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Nuggets vs. Knicks Predictions & Picks Today: Wednesday 1/29

Both teams support healthy lineups and are rested for this nationally televised game. The total is 243.5 which is almost 40 points more than the lowest projected total. The spread is only -2.5 in favor of the Knicks, and the money line is tight. 

Instead of predicting a winner, someone to cover the spread, or waging war on a 243.5 total, let’s take advantage of a player proposition.

 

 

 

Nuggets vs. Knicks Prediction: Christian Braun 15+ Points [ALT LINE] (+145 on Bet365)

There are going to be points in this game, 243.5 projected point totals don’t just randomly appear. Both Denver and New York will have players putting up points throughout the night. This will be an almost non-stop back-and-forth game.

One player the sportsbooks have been hesitant to make a drastic point shift on is Christian Braun. He has been featured in successful parlays, props, and ladders on our Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets column, and the pick is for him to be successful on an alternate point line.

Over the past six games Braun’s point line has moved from 10.5, to 11.5, and now is at 12.5. They are moving him up, but not enough. Braun has scored twenty or more points in five of his last seven games. The move of Russell Westbrook to the starting lineup, means Braun plays with two all-time passers, who look to pass first. 

Braun scores early, often, and usually with high percentage field goals. He is scoring at 57.6%, and with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray the focus of the other team, Braun is free with little to no defense. 

15 points in a 243.5 point projected game is less than 6% of the total points of the game. Braun has been a force around the paint, and Towns is not the best defensive center. Put a unit on this teased up point line, after all what is one more slam dunk?

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky -Iggy-