Knicks vs Nets Picks, Prediction Today | Tuesday, Jan. 23

Here's everything you need to know about Knicks vs. Nets on Tuesday, Jan. 23 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today.

The crosstown rivalry has its newest installment tonight when the Knicks head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets.

Let's get to our Knicks vs. Nets prediction and pick.

The New York Knicks have been excellent this season but may be without one of their defensive anchors, Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), who is listed as questionable after exiting their latest game against the Raptors early. Hartenstein is the No. 1 player in Defensive EPM, per Dunks and Threes, so his absence would dramatically impact the Knicks' defense.

On the season, New York has the seventh-best Adjusted Net Rating (+4.3) and is one of just five teams with top-10 marks in both Adjusted Offense and Adjusted Defense, per Dunks and Threes. From an offensive perspective, the Knicks have thrived as long as Jalen Brunson is on the floor, but for defense, this may be their first test without Hartenstein.

When Hartenstein has not been on the floor, New York has run Precious Achiuwa or Jericho Sims at the five, but Achiuwa has found success when running with the starters, especially OG Anunoby. In 186 Possessions with Anunoby on the Knicks, they have a +17.8 Point Differential, per Cleaning the Glass. Having some rapport together will help the Knicks if Hartenstein is out or limited.

The Nets are 17-25 with the 22nd-ranked Adjusted Net Rating (-1.6), per Dunks and Threes. They are below average on both offense and defense and have struggled without a true consistent rotation.

Brooklyn has improved in one area recently, and that's on the defensive side of the ball. Although the Nets are 1-4 over the last two weeks, they have the fourth-best defense and are allowing just 111.8 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass.

However, that may just be noise. Over the last two weeks, Brooklyn's expected allowed eFG% is 55.4% compared to its actual allowed of 50.6%. Opponents are struggling to score from the rim and distance despite those shots being ones the Nets are allowing.  Their expected allowed aligns with their full-season number, but their actual allowed is 4.1% better, per Cleaning the Glass.

Brooklyn allows a high percentage of above-the-break 3s and its opponents shoot 38.7% from distance. This is a shot the Knicks can exploit, especially Donte DiVincenzo.

The Knicks are a fundamentally better team than the Nets this season, and New York has thrived against bottom-15 teams in Net Rating. The Knicks are 16-4 ATS in those matchups with an average spread differential of +6.45 points, per BetLabs. The Knicks are also 19-1 straight-up in this spot, with their only loss coming to the Jazz and their average margin of victory at 12.95 points, per BetLabs.

The Knicks take care of business against bad teams, and even if Hartenstein is unable to go, they still should maintain an edge against the Nets. I'll lay the points with New York.

Pick: Knicks -4