The San Antonio Spurs (24-11) can prolong an 11-game home winning streak when they meet the New York Knicks (17-17) at AT&T Center. The game will air on MSG Network at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 201 points with San Antonio set as an 11.5-point favorite.
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs Free Prediction
In the Knicks’ last contest, they were beaten by the Chicago Bulls, 92-87. Chicago’s 0.140 free throw rate was their biggest strength over New York, who had a mark of 0.099. The Bulls’ mark was below their season average of 0.149, while the Knicks’ was below their season average of 0.187. Kristaps Porzingis was the game’s high scorer with 23 points on 9-for-22 shooting.
The Spurs beat the Brooklyn Nets in their last contest, 109-97. The Spurs knocked down 20 of their 24 free throws (83.3 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.556 (above their season average of 0.512). With 15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, San Antonio’s Pau Gasol had a solid performance.
San Antonio figures to have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. The Spurs currently rank sixth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.508), while New York is 19th in effective field goal percentage (0.512). Furthermore, the Knicks, who rank 22nd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.185), could struggle to get to the line against the Spurs, who rank second in opponents’ FTA rate (0.158).
New York holds records of 17-17 straight up (SU) and 19-14 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Knicks’ games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, San Antonio owns records of 24-11 SU and 18-15-2 ATS. Of the Spurs’ 35 games, 20 have finished under the total.
Enes Kanter has averaged 17.6 points and 11.2 rebounds over the last five games for New York.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, the Spurs won 106-98. The Spurs had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.7 vs. 26.1) and had a better turnover percentage (12.0 vs. 14.6).
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
New York is 4-8 ATS on the road with 6 unders, 5 overs and 1 push.
At home, San Antonio is 12-5-1 ATS with 10 overs and 8 unders.
New York is 8-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while San Antonio is 16-5.
The Knicks are 16-7 when they reach 100 points, while the Spurs are 17-1.
San Antonio ranks eighth in three pointers allowed per game (26.8) while New York ranks 28th (32.1).
The Spurs rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.5) while the Knicks rank 19th (4.9).
San Antonio ranks 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.7) while New York ranks 27th (18.9).
The Spurs average 13.2 second chance points per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Knicks rank 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.0).
San Antonio ranks 17th in fast break points per game (9.9) while New York ranks 28th (6.1).
The Knicks rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (39.8) while the Spurs rank 11th (42.2).
New York is second in the league with 40.7 rebounds allowed per game while San Antonio is fifth with 41.3 rebounds allowed per game.
The Spurs average 7.1 steals per game, which ranks 23rd in the NBA. The Knicks rank 24th in steals allowed per game (8.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New York is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
San Antonio is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Knicks have been outscored by an average of 4.8 points in their last five games. On the season, New York has defeated opponents by an average of 0.2 points.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 101.6 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 95.6 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
