The Utah Jazz come into Friday’s showdown at New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden with some momentum after two straight wins. But the Knicks are heavy favorites by virtue of being dominant at home and having a rest advantage going into this game. Before Utah and New York do battle at the world’s most famous arena, you can keep reading to get my Jazz vs Knicks prediction for this contest.
Our Jazz vs Knicks Pick
Pick: Knicks -15.5
Confidence: ★★★★☆

Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks
- Date & Time: Friday, December 5, 2025, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
The Knicks enter this game with an 11–1 record at home and looking to extend a four‑game home winning streak. They average 120.2 points per game while shooting efficiently overall and from three. Their defense holds opponents to 113 points per game, putting them among the top defensive teams in the league. The duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns has been one of the toughest to stop in the league this season.
The Jazz (8‑13) have quietly found a bit of rhythm. They just beat the Brooklyn Nets 123–110, with standout performances from Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. That followed up an impressive home win over the Houston Rockets. Utah scores 118.7 points per game, which ranks in the middle of the pack in the league. Their offense can be dangerous on a good night. The problem remains their defense, which allows 124.6 points per game and gives up too many easy looks.
The Knicks appear close to having their recently sidelined wing OG Anunoby available. That would be a huge boost should he be active. The Knicks are still without Landry Shamet. Utah is without Georges Niang and Walker Kessler for this contest.
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first game of the season between the Knicks and Jazz.
- The Knicks are 13-8 against the spread so far this season.
- Utah has gone 12-9 against the spread thus far.
- The Jazz have gone over the total 13 times in their 21 games.
- The Knicks are 11-10 favoring the over so far this season.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop to Monitor |
|---|---|
| Lauri Markkanen (Jazz) | Over 25.5 Points |
| Keyonte George (Jazz) | Under 20.5 Points |
| Karl‑Anthony Towns (Knicks) | Over 11.5 Rebounds |
| Jalen Brunson (Knicks) | Over 29.5 Points |
Jazz vs Knicks Model Projection
Score Projection: Knicks 125 – Jazz 108
Win Probability: Knicks 88%, Jazz 12%
Final Thoughts
New York’s offensive firepower and homecourt dominance, combined with Utah’s defensive shortcomings, should add up to the Knicks winning convincingly on Friday night. The Jazz have offensive talent and will score, but New York’s depth and defense make a blowout more likely than a close contest. I’ll lay the points with the Knicks here, with the expectation that the Jazz will struggle on the second night of a back-to-back in New York.

