In this New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors game, we get a team that made a big splash this summer facing off against one that made what looks like the best move of the NBA trade deadline. How these two teams stack up for the postseason is one conversation, but today, we’re looking at a single game and where to put our hard-earned money.
New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors Best Bet
Jalen Brunson isn’t a real MVP threat this season because of the success of other players, but his value to the Knicks is undeniable. Without him in the lineup over the past three games, New York’s turnover rate has jumped by 2.2 percentage points from where it stood over the previous five weeks.
Given New York’s roster’s defensive limitations, giving away extra possessions could be a major issue. Those extra opportunities are a plus for Warriors backers, though they may not even need them.
Golden State’s offense is averaging 1.23 points per possession during its 11-1 run, with a true shooting percentage north of 60%. This offense operates differently than the Splash Brothers era, but it’s highly effective.
With Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors’ offense runs with consistency, which is all they need, given the gravity Stephen Curry provides.
💦 WARRIORS (-285) KEEP WINNING
Golden State is now 13-1 since the Jimmy Butler trade 📈pic.twitter.com/l9LyUL5OA3
— NBABet (@nbabet) March 14, 2025
I’m pro-Warriors in this spot, and that confidence carries over to Buddy Hield. We will get a Brandin Podziemski (ankle) update later today, but I’m comfortable getting ahead of the news and betting on Hield because of how he thrives in this matchup.
This season, the Knicks are a top-five isolation defense, which is valuable in today’s NBA. However, it won’t be a major factor in this game. The Warriors’ assist rate has surged over the past two weeks, and since Butler’s debut, Hield has settled into his role as a shooter even better.
Since the Butler trade, 60.4% of Hield’s shots have come off the catch. Before the trade, just 54.9% of his shots came off the catch.
A shooter like Hield thrives on rhythm, not creating his own looks. Butler’s addition has helped Golden State’s offense find its flow, which is exactly why they brought Hield in.
Pick: Warriors -6.5 (-112, FanDuel)
Pick: Buddy Hield over 8.5 points (-110, DraftKings)