The Thunder have been nearly unstoppable since Isaiah Hartenstein got healthy.
In 17 regular season games since his return from a hand injury on Nov. 20 before Thursday night’s win over the Clippers, Oklahoma City, now winners of 13 straight, has lost just one game — a three-point road defeat at the hands of the surprising young Rockets.
Even before Thursday’s win, the Thunder’s Net Rating (+13.2) was easily the best in the NBA.
Knicks vs. Thunder odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knicks | +5 (-115) | +155 | Over 221.5 (-110) |
| Thunder | -5 (-105) | -185 | Under 221.5 (-110) |
Knicks vs. Thunder prediction
Hartenstein and Co. will take on his former team, the New York Knicks, in Oklahoma City on Friday night in a game that could spell trouble for the road team.
The Thunder have been about the only team as hot as the Knicks of late, but New York has done it against much easier competition.
During the Knicks’ current nine-game winning streak, most of their victories have come against some of the NBA’s worst teams, including two wins against both the East’s worst Wizards and injury-depleted Magic, in addition to wins over the Raptors, Jazz, and Pelicans.
OKC’s size provides a tough match up for the Knicks — there are multiple wing defenders the Thunder can throw at Jalen Brunson while Hartenstein is more than capable of handling Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter and in the post.
The star point guard is also dealing with a lingering calf issue, which won’t help his chances at upsetting the dominant Thunder.
They get lucky on the timing of their matchup, getting the Western Conference’s best team on the backside of a back-to-back.
But that hasn’t deterred the Thunder of late, who have gone undefeated in six games on no rest this season.
Oklahoma City has been excellent on its home floor, too, going 14-2, the second-best home record in the NBA behind the Cavaliers.
Betting on the NBA?
The Knicks have proven in recent weeks that they deserve to be considered among the NBA’s best, but this winning streak has to come to an end soon.
Bet on the Thunder to take care of business on their home floor in what has the potential to be a possible NBA Finals preview.
The play: Oklahoma City Thunder -4.5 (-110, Fanatics Sportsbook)