NBA 2026 Season: New York Knicks Defense Explained for Online Sports Betting

How The Knicks Play Defense Under Mike Brown

Tom Thibodeau is gone. Mike Brown came in over the summer with a four-year deal and a reputation for building playoff defenses in Cleveland, Golden State, and Sacramento.

His 2025–26 Knicks look like this: Offensive rating 121.1 (top three). Defensive rating 114.4 (13th). Net rating 6.8 (top five).

The idea is "defense into offense." Brown still wants stops, but he's fine pushing pace and shooting threes after misses. With Karl-Anthony Towns and a deep guard/wing group, the Knicks can get out and run in ways they couldn't before.

For NBA sports betting for New York Knicks, that blend shows up in the numbers:

• They're not a lockdown unit, but they are above average
• They chase shooters and use length on the wings
• They trust their offense enough that they don't have to grind every game into the 90s

On any given night, that can swing totals either way.

Read more: How Betting Predictions Use Data Trends and Matchups

Navigate defensive transitions smoothly. Visit Shurzy's Content Lab for coaching-change analysis on NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and more.

Three Defensive Players Bettors Must Track

OG Anunoby – elite stopper (currently out)

OG Anunoby is the most important defender on this team when he's healthy. Since arriving in New York, he's turned them into a switchy, physical unit.

This year he was off to an All-Star level start: 15.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 39.2% from three. But he strained his left hamstring in a win over Miami and has been ruled out through at least the end of November.

Betting impact: With OG out, the Knicks lose their best on-ball defender at the 2–4 spots. Star wings and big guards will have cleaner looks. Totals can creep higher, especially against good offenses.

Mikal Bridges – Swiss Army knife on the perimeter

Mikal Bridges came in as another long wing and classic two-way piece. Local coverage has already tagged Anunoby and Bridges as a tandem that "can be Knicks' defensive stoppers."

For NBA sports betting for New York Knicks games: When Bridges is on the floor without OG, he usually draws the toughest wing now. That can still pull you toward slight unders on some wing scoring props, but not as strongly as when they were both active.

Mitchell Robinson – rim protector and board cleaner

Robinson's job hasn't changed: Protect the rim and clean the glass so Towns and Brunson can run. When he's healthy and playing 25–30 minutes, the Knicks are a lot harder to score on at the rim. When he's off the floor, opponents can attack the paint more freely.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Knicks' Defense

What they do well:

Wing defense when healthy. With OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, the Knicks can throw elite length at top scorers. Defensive rebounding and discipline. Under OG's influence, New York has been one of the better defensive rebounding teams, limiting second-chance points. Scheme versatility. Brown can go big with Towns–Robinson, or smaller with Bridges at the 4.

Where they struggle:

No OG equals softer perimeter. With Anunoby out for at least two weeks with the hamstring strain, New York loses its main eraser on the wing. Towns at the 4 on defense. The KAT trade supercharged the offense but also made the defense less of a classic Thibs-style wall. When Robinson sits, lineups with Towns at the 5 can give up easier drives.

Injuries to Brunson and fatigue spots. Brunson just suffered a Grade 1 right ankle sprain. Without his scoring, games can slow down, but the defense also carries more pressure.

Read more: Predictions for Spreads, Totals, and Props Explained

How Knicks Defense Shows Up In Sports Betting Lines

Because of the hot start and strong net rating, books treat New York as a legit contender. Totals often land in the low-to-mid 220s. Point spread betting often has them as favorites at home. Player props on opponent wings and bigs can be shaded down when OG is healthy, but his current absence may not always be fully priced in.

Read more: Why Matchups Matter in Betting Predictions

Navigate defensive transitions smoothly. Visit Shurzy's Content Lab for coaching-change analysis on NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and more.

Simple Example: Using Knicks Defense In A Betting Angle

Imagine the Knicks are at home versus a team with a star scoring wing and a physical center. The board shows: Game total 226.5, Opponent team total 111.5, Star wing points line 25.5, Center rebounds line 11.5.

Injury report: OG Anunoby out through the end of November with hamstring strain, Jalen Brunson day-to-day with Grade 1 ankle sprain ruled out for this game, Mitchell Robinson and Mikal Bridges active.

Your read: Bridges takes the star wing, but without OG the help behind him is thinner. Towns has to do more as a helper. Robinson and Towns should still battle on the glass, but the center could sneak over 11.5 boards.

One simple parlay: Star wing 25+ points (slight alt over), Opponent center over 11.5 rebounds, Opponent team total over 109.5 alt line.

Read more: How to Use Predictions Without Blindly Following Them

Quick Rules For NBA Sports Betting For New York Knicks (Defense Edition)

Lean under or cautious over when:

• OG Anunoby is back and healthy, and Bridges plus Robinson are all playing 30+ minutes
• The opponent doesn't have an elite scoring wing or a bruising center
• The team is rested and not on a back-to-back

Be more open to overs when:

• OG is out (like right now) and Bridges has to do everything on the wing
• Robinson is in foul trouble and Towns has to protect the rim
• The opponent has a star wing and strong rebounder who can test both levels

Prop angles to watch:

• Opponent star wing overs while OG is sidelined
• Opponent center rebounds and putback points overs when Robinson sits
• Select unders on role players when both Bridges and OG are active later in the season

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