NBA tips, odds, best bets

The Thunder have been nearly unstoppable since Isaiah Hartenstein’s recovery.

In 17 regular-season games since returning from a hand injury on Nov. 20 prior to Thursday night’s win over the Clippers, Oklahoma City, now a 13-straight winner, has lost just one game – a three-point road loss to the Clippers’ surprising young Rockets.

Even before Thursday’s win, the Thunder’s net rating (+13.2) was by far the best in the NBA.

Knicks vs Thunder odds

Knicks vs Thunder Prediction

Hartenstein and Co. will face his former team, the New York Knicks, on Friday night in Oklahoma City, a game that could spell trouble for the away team.

The Thunder have been about the only team as hot as the Knicks lately, but New York has done it against much weaker competition.

During the Knicks’ current nine-game winning streak, most of their wins have come against some of the NBA’s worst teams, including two wins against both the East’s worst Wizards and the injury-depleted Magic, in addition to wins over the Raptors, Jazz, and Pelicans .

OKC’s size presents a tough matchup for the Knicks – there are multiple wing defenders the Thunder can throw to 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 of upsetting the dominant Thunder.

They are lucky in terms of the timing of their meeting, fielding the best team in the Western Conference in a two-in-a-row race.

But that hasn’t deterred the Thunder lately, who are unbeaten in six straight games this season.

Oklahoma City was also excellent at home, posting a 14-2 record, 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 among the NBA’s best, but that winning streak must end soon.

Bet on the Thunder taking care of business at their home stadium in what has the potential to be a possible NBA Finals preview.

The Game: Oklahoma City Thunder -4.5 (-110, Fanatics Sportsbook)