James Harden is expected to make his Clippers debut at Madison Square Garden on Monday when Los Angeles heads to New York.Â
The Clippers are off to a 3-2 start, but they blew a 19-point lead in a 130-125 overtime loss to the Lakers on Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 73 points in the defeat, while Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 24 points.
The Knicks have stumbled to a 2-4 start out of the gate, which includes a pair of home losses to the Celtics and Cavaliers.
New York lost on Friday at Milwaukee in the opening game of group play in the NBA In-Season tournament, 110-105, in spite of 45 points from guard Jalen Brunson.
The Clippers captured both matchups with the Knicks last season, including winning an overtime thriller at MSG, 134-128.
With all the hype surrounding Harden entering the Clippers’ lineup, it will take time for Leonard, George, and Westbrook to get used to the former 76ers’ guard and how they are going to share the ball.
This line opened with the Clippers as two-point road favorites but has swung Monday afternoon to the Knicks as short one-point home chalk.
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In spite of New York’s recent struggles, this is a big spot for the Knicks to grab their first home win.
Let’s back them here.
Best Bet: Knicks -1 (-115, BetMGM)