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OKC Thunder vs. N.Y. Knicks Cappers TNT NBA Preview & Free Pick

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Does anybody have to be told exactly what it would mean to the Knicks’ chances of a deep playoff run if Carmelo Anthony isn’t at 100 percent about five weeks from now?

Oklahoma City Thunder (44-16) at New York Knicks (37-21)
Thursday, March 7
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
8 p.m. EST
Odds: OKC -8 | OU: 206 at Betonline

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Knicks coach Mike Woodson, who has handled Anthony and the superstar scorer’s ego about as well as any of the kid’s coaches have, said last night that the high-scoring forward has fluid in the back of his right knee. No one knows how serious this is, but Anthony missed last night’s victory over Detroit (no problem – the Pistons have half their key players out).

As for tonight, who knows if Anthony will have enough juice to go against Kevin Durant and the Thunder?

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With Anthony, things aren’t always as they seem. On Monday night in Cleveland, Anthony was left in the game in the second half with the Cavaliers up by 22 points. Woodson kept him in, and a few minutes later Anthony collapsed at mid-court.

He got up and walked off the court, and the New York Post went so far as to say that Anthony might have been OK and just embarrassed that the Cavs were administering such a beatdown.

If Anthony is hurt, it raises all kinds of red flags going forward. New York has nasty home games against the suddenly red-hot Thunder and then Utah on Saturday before embarking on a five-game, eight-day West Coast road trip (Golden State, Denver, Portland, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah).

For his part, Woodson appears to be applying a little passive-aggressive pressure on Anthony as the Knicks battle it out overt the final 24 games with the Pacers for the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. “Rest will probably be the best thing for him,” said Woodson. [ad-6571516]

“He’s got to make that commitment. If he wants to sit down and rest a game or two we’ll do that. It’s still a long season.”

The Thunder are just two back of the Spurs in the loss column as they head for the home stretch in what is shaping up as a fun race for the No. 1 playoff seed in the Western Conference. After a hiccup (3 losses in a row) in mid-February, the Thunder are getting MVP-type play from Kevin Durant and hit the Big Apple with five wins in six games.

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With no decision on Anthony’s status expected until perhaps an hour (or less) before tipoff, it’s doubtful bettors will see a line on this game. If Anthony goes, the game will be close to PK; if he can’t, the Knicks would certainly get at least a field goal.

Pressure will be intense of the Knicks backcourt as OKC tries to force a wide-open 94-foot game. Against the Pistons, New York – which hasn’t had a problem with turnovers this season – coughed it up 11 times in the first period and 21 in the game. Anything approaching that will make tonight’s result very ugly.

(With Anthony) – OKC 107, New York 103
(Without Anthony) – OKC 112, New York 94

By Lawrence Paul

Lawrence Paul is back in the saddle as a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. He's got an AMAZING knack for predicting when a team will have a letdown! Stick with our resident gambling experts sports betting tips all season long!