The New York Knicks (18-18) will have their hands full against the league’s top scoring defense when they take on the San Antonio Spurs (25-12) at Madison Square Garden. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, and will air on MSG Network.
San Antonio opened as a 4-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 199.5 points.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Free Prediction
In the Spurs’ last game, they were defeated by the Detroit Pistons, 93-79. Detroit’s 0.494 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over San Antonio, who had a mark of 0.399. The Pistons’ mark was below their season average of 0.511, while the Spurs’ was below their season average of 0.515. LaMarcus Aldridge had a solid game for San Antonio, contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Knicks edged the New Orleans Pelicans in their last matchup, 105-103. New York won the rebounding battle. The Knicks had nine offensive rebounds and 51 total rebounds, while the Pelicans had four and 48, respectively. Kristaps Porzingis was New York’s high scorer with 30 points on 11-for-22 shooting.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Knicks currently rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (25.9 percent), while San Antonio ranks fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.6 percent).
San Antonio heads into the contest with records of 25-12 straight up (SU) and 19-16-2 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Spurs tend to go under the O/U total (56.8 percent).
Meanwhile, New York owns records of 18-18 SU and 20-16 ATS. Just over half of Knicks games have also finished under the projected point total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Michael Beasley put up 23 points and 12 rebounds in the first game, in which the Knicks lost 119-107, unable to cover as 10-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 27 points above the projected point total of 199 points. Getting to the free throw line was one of San Antonio’s biggest advantages. They had 39 free throw attempts, while New York had just 22.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Knicks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
San Antonio is 6-11-1 ATS on the road with 13 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
New York is 15-6 ATS at home with 11 unders and 10 overs.
New York is 8-1 when they allow under 100 points, while San Antonio is 16-6.
When scoring above 100 points, the Spurs are 18-1 and the Knicks are 17-8.
San Antonio ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.4) while New York ranks 29th (31.6).
The Spurs rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.6) while the Knicks rank 15th (4.9).
San Antonio ranks ninth in second chance points per game (13.4) while New York ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.0).
The Knicks rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (40.2) while the Spurs rank 12th (42.3).
San Antonio ranks 21st in fast break points per game (9.6) while New York ranks 29th (6.4).
The Knicks rank second in rebounds allowed per game (41.0) while the Spurs rank sixth (41.4).
San Antonio averages 15.5 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 22nd in the NBA. New York ranks 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, San Antonio is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New York is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.6, down from 3.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 99.6 points per game (4.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 104.6 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
