Utah Jazz at New York Knicks Pick

The Utah Jazz (38-22) will travel to the Big Apple to take on the New York Knicks (19-42) in a cross-conference clash set to take place at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET, and the game is set to be televised on MSG and SPORTSNET. The Notes have controlled this series as of late as they have won and covered in the last three meetings between the two sides. These two teams last met last on January 8th in Utah, where the Jazz rolled the Knicks by a score of 128-104 to cover easily as a 14-point favorite. Expanding on this premise, the Jazz have covered all of their preceding three wins against New York as a double-digit favorite.

Utah Jazz at New York Knicks Key Injury Concerns

Knicks Point Guard Dennis Smith Jr. sports a questionable tag heading into this game as he works his way through a concussion. New York Center Mitchell Robinson and Shooting Guard Kevin Knox also remain questionable as they battle leg injuries in the build-up to this cross-conference clash.

Utah Jazz at New York Knicks Overview

Utah Jazz

The Jazz step into this game off a two-game winning streak where they have gone 1-0-1 ATS in these two victories. Most recently, Utah defeated Cleveland in its barn on Monday when they put together a 126-113 win over the Cavaliers to cover as a 10-point road favorite.

New York Knicks

The Knicks enter into this contest in good form as they have also won and covered in their last two matches. Most recently, the Knicks orchestrated a shocker as they upset the visiting Houston Rockets 125-123 despite closing as a 10-point underdog.

Reasons To Avoid Utah

Situationally, Utah would be a popular choice here, given the contrasting states of both sides overall. However, Utah’s supremacy against New York likely puts it in position to be overvalued here despite looking “easy” spotting less lumber compared to recent markets. Nevertheless, backing Utah here is still likely playing the Jazz at a lousy number. When emotional intangibles are factored in the equation, Utah could be found guilty of taking New York lightly while the Knicks will treat this affair as a playoff game. The resultant puts Utah on upset alert.

Reasons To Back New York

The Knicks have strategic edges that give them an opportunity to be competitive in this contest. The Knicks commit fewer turnovers than their counterparts, bode a deeper bench overall, and they are the more physical team on the glass. New York averages 46.6 rebounds per game (6th in the NBA) to Utah’s 11th-ranked 45.6 boards per contest. All of these intangibles allow the Knicks to capitalize on Utah mistakes and create a prospect of the Knickerbockers playing a more robust game in the paint to wear this Jazz team down. We get said team likely with enhanced points, coming off of a huge win that will spur momentum. I like that position.