Take shot on Nets vs. likely sluggish Knicks

Following a successful four-game road trip, the Knicks return home on Saturday afternoon to face the rival Nets.

The Knicks won the first three games of their West Coast swing against Portland, Sacramento and Golden State before dropping the finale on Thursday, 113-100, at Denver.

New York closed as an 8.5-point underdog against the Nuggets and cut a 12point, fourth-quarter deficit down to two with eight minutes remaining. Nevertheless, Denver pulled away for the win and a spread cover.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points, his lowest total on the road trip.

The Nets stumble into the Garden looking to end a five-game losing streak. Brooklyn hung around with Milwaukee on Thursday in a 115-108 setback, managing a cover as a 9.5-point underdog.

Since beating the Pistons in consecutive games in late December, the Nets are just 11-28 in their last 39 games, covering the spread in back-to-back games only once in the span.

The Knicks have won four straight meetings with the Nets, including the first two matchups this season. New York went into Barclays Center on Dec. 20 and blew out Brooklyn, 121-102, followed by a 108-103 win in late January.

Though the Nets haven’t been officially eliminated from postseason contention, they are closing in on missing their first playoffs since 2018. Nevertheless, as the losses pile up, Kevin Ollie’s team continues to show fight.

Mikal Bridges (24 points vs. Milwaukee), Nic Claxton (22) and Cam Thomas (21) haven’t made their offseason plans just yet. Thomas leads the Nets in scoring this season at 21.5 ppg.

The Nets, who are heavier underdogs in this third meeting than they were in the first two, are catching the Knicks off a winning road trip across three time zones.

Let’s take the Nets as ’dogs here. THE PLAY: Nets +7.5

Kevin Rogers handicaps the NBA for Action Network.