The Los Angeles Clippers (13-22) and New York Knicks (23-13) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will broadcast live on MSG.
The Knicks are 4.5-point favorites over the Clippers on the spread (Knicks -4.5), with the over/under set at 221.5 total points. The Knicks are -200 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Clippers are +165 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Clippers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, January 7.
Clippers vs Knicks Prediction
- Clippers vs Knicks pick: Miles McBride Over 10.5 Points (-125)
My Clippers vs Knicks best bet is on Miles McBride to score 11+ points, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Clippers vs Knicks Odds
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -105 | 221.5 -112o / -108u | +165 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -115 | 221.5 -112o / -108u | -200 |
Clippers vs Knicks NBA Preview
After a dreadful start, the Clippers have won seven of their last 10 games. On Monday, they squeaked out a 103-102 win over the Warriors and have pulled within 2.5 games of the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
That win came without James Harden, who is questionable for tonight’s game with right shoulder soreness. He is averaging 25.7 points and eight assists per game this season.
Lately, it has been Kawhi Leonard leading the way. Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 32.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, including performances of 41, 55 and 45 points.
If Harden is out, Kawhi may have more playmaking opportunities, as he logged five assists and eight potential assists last time out.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are back home after suffering a 121-90 loss to the Pistons and will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
Over that span, they are allowing 124 points per game and rank 28th in defensive rating. They have also slipped to third in the Eastern Conference, as the Celtics have won eight of their last 10 games.
Josh Hart has been out since Christmas, and that absence has clearly been a factor, as the team is 2-4 without him.
The “Hart and soul” of the team, the do-it-all forward is averaging 12.3 points, eight rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He will miss his seventh straight game with a right ankle sprain.
The Knicks will also need a bounce-back performance from Karl-Anthony Towns. Against the Pistons, Towns scored just six points and grabbed one rebound — his second-fewest points and lowest rebound total of the season.
The Clippers recently got Ivica Zubac back, but Towns should be able to pull him away from the basket during his minutes at the five. He had 34 points and 14 rebounds against the Clippers last March.
Clippers vs Knicks Prediction, Betting Analysis
Miles McBride missed some time in December as well, but returned shortly after Josh Hart went down.
Over his last five games, McBride is averaging 16.6 points per game. He has scored at least 11 points in each of his last five games and in eight of his last 10 overall, with three 20-point performances during that span.
The bulk of his scoring comes from beyond the arc, and he has made at least two 3-pointers in nine of his last 10 games.
The Clippers rank 22nd in opponent 3-point percentage and 24th in 3-pointers allowed to shooting guards. McBride also sees time at the two when he shares the floor with Jalen Brunson.
Los Angeles is 21st in points allowed to point guards, which benefits both Brunson and McBride. Brunson has scored at least 25 points in eight of his last 10 games and is averaging 29 points per game this season.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 10 games, including each of his last three against the Knicks. He has also grabbed at least seven rebounds in seven of his last 10 games and recorded a double-double in his most recent matchup against New York.
As a result, Leonard has cleared 35 points + rebounds in seven of his last eight games and in two of his last three against the Knicks.
OG Anunoby will likely draw the assignment, but given how the Knicks have defended lately, I don’t see them slowing Leonard down tonight.
Pick: Miles McBride Over 10.5 Points (-125)
Clippers vs. Knicks Parlay Picks
- Kawhi Leonard 35+ Points + Rebounds
- Jalen Brunson 25+ Points
- Miles McBride 10+ Points
Parlay Odds: +270 via DraftKings
