Posted at 2:15 PM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle -4½ -106 BET365 -4 -110 Sportsinteraction -4½ -110 888Sport -4½ -110

Golden State -4½ over New York

Best Odds: -106 at Pinnacle 

7:30 PM EST. Sharper books had this at -4 as soon as it came out. Injuries are really starting to affect the Knicks. Isaiah Hartenstein will return Thursday, and he should add to what should be a very physical game (we lean to the under but feel the number is dead-on), but Jalen Brunson is questionable with neck spasms and OG Anunoby and Julius Randle remain out for the home-team. Brunson is a true star and can lead his team to wins even with the current roster, but it becomes tougher against the more efficient teams. And right now, in their current form, the Warriors have been as efficient as any program in the association for the last month. In February, Golden State ranks as the 5th best team in net rating, a combined offense/defense statistic. The Knicks, who were top 3 in net rating through December and January, have dropped to a lowly 22nd because of all their injuries.

Golden State has real momentum, even maintaining their flow with Chris Paul back in the lineup in a recent win in DC. The old statesmen point guard seems intent on taking an ancillary role if it's better for the team, playing just 22 minutes in his return to action. Eventually CP3 might take on a bigger part, but the Warriors' roster is looking deeper and more capable in all of its iterations, something Steve Kerr has worked tirelessly to develop the last few seasons. 

Speaking of more ancillary roles, Klay Thompson's move to the second unit is only firing him up. He dropped 35 on Utah, 25 on Denver, and 25 on Washington in recent games, all in less than 30 minutes of play-time. Draymond Green continues to be the best version of himself, facilitating masterfully on offense and bringing physicality and toughness to a Golden State defense that desperately needed it. And Jonathon Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Podziemski, Kevon Looney, Dario Saric, and other role-players have played without ego. The Warriors' bench leads the NBA in minutes in February and they're rated as a top 3 unit, something that should make a big difference against the Knicks, who have lost significant depth due to their onslaught of injuries.

We don't know if Jalen Brunson will be 100% tonight. That's a problem for New York, even if they're at home. We like the Warriors' mojo right now and while we still love the Knicks as a sleeper in the East, this just isn't their time to shine, especially against competition as stout as they'll see Thursday night. Oddsmakers and sharps have been on-point post All-Star break and it says something that there's only been upward movement on the Warriors' spread. It may not seem right that suddenly Golden State is road chalk at Madison Square Garden, but this isn't the same Knicks' team that's been running through the league. We'll capitalize on the team in better form, at a forgiving number.

Farley

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