One of nine NBA games scheduled for Saturday, February 111, is this inter-conference clash in the Big Apple, so make sure you read the best Jazz vs. Knicks betting pick and odds.

Both Utah and New York will play their second game of a back-to-back set when they meet at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are -3.5 favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 231.5 points. These inter-conference rivals will face for the second time this year; the Knicks won 118-111 in Salt Lake City.

Jazz closed a home stand with a loss

The Utah Jazz (27-29, 30-26-0 ATS) opened their five-game homestay with a pair of victories over the Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors but then suffered three consecutive defeats to the Hawks, Mavericks, and Timberwolves. The Jazz will not hit on a four-game road trip after which they will return home for a three-game stay. Utah allowed a season-high 143 points in a 143-118 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The hosts shot only 41.9% from the floor and made 12 triples opposite Minnesota’s 23.

Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Lauri Markkanen had 21 points and five boards, Walker Kessler added 16 points, team-high nine rebounds, and game-high three blocks, Talen Horton-Tucker chipped in 15 points and team-high six dimes, while Kelly Olynyk scored 14 with six boards.

PG Russell Westbrook, C Damian Jones, and SF Juan Toscano-Anderson are all acquired in a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. They will be out for Friday’s game in Toronto, but will likely be ready to play on Saturday against New York.

Knicks edged the Magic on the road

The New York Knicks (30-26, 29-25-2 ATS) beat the Philadelphia 76ers to conclude their four-game home stand and then traveled to Florida to face the Orlando Magic and won 102-98. The Knicks will meet the Sixers again on Friday and return to New York to host the Utah Jazz on Saturday. In Orlando, the Knicks were strong from beyond the arc, making 15 three-pointers opposite the Magic’s six, and that was the biggest difference between the teams.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a game-high 25 points, five assists, and two steals. Julius Randle recorded a double-double of 22 points and game-high 14 rebounds, along with a game-high six dishes, Immanuel Quickley had 18 points and four dimes, while R.J. Barrett scored 15 points.

C Mitchell Robinson (thumb) is out indefinitely. SG Josh Hart, who came via trade with Portland, is questionable to play in Philly on Friday but should be available against the Jazz on Saturday.

Trends:

Utah:

N/A

New York:

  • 20-7-1 ATS in the last 28 games playing without rest

Utah Jazz vs. New York Knicks Pick

Considering that both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back set, we cannot say about potential fatigue. Still, if we take recent form into consideration, I have to back the Knicks, who have been playing better recently. Utah lost three in a row, all three at home, and I am not sure how the Jazz will cope on the road. The Jazz do have a better offense that scores 117.5 points per game opposite New York’s 114.2 ppg, but I believe the difference will be on defense. The Knicks allow 112.4 ppg, while the Jazz surrendered 117.1 ppg. Following a trade deadline on Thursday, the Knicks look a bit stronger, so I am backing them to get a W here.

Pick: Take the Knicks -2.5 (-130)

The Total

New York has been very good defensively in the last couple of games. The Knicks kept their opponents (Philadelphia and Orlando) below 100 points and considering the Jazz failed to score more than 118 points in their previous three games, I am going with the hosts to make some crucial stops in this one and lock the visitors down. Under is 6-0 in the last six H2H meetings, while Under is 9-3 in the Jazz’s previous 12 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.

Pick: Go Under 232.5 points (-120)