The New York Knicks (5-14) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (10-8) at Madison Square Garden. The game will air on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018.
New Orleans is a 7.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 237 points.
New Orleans Pelicans at New York Knicks ATS Prediction
Although the Pelicans were beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game, 121-120, they did cover as 3-point underdogs. The game’s total points (241) were just over the O/U total of 238. Philadelphia’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over New Orleans. The 76ers had a rate of 0.500 (below their season average of 0.517), while the Pelicans posted a mark of 0.485 (below their season average of 0.540). New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday had a solid outing, contributing 30 points and 10 assists.
In the Knicks’ previous matchup, they defeated the Boston Celtics, 117-109, despite being 14.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (226) came in over the projected point total of 215.5. New York made 15 of their 30 three pointers (50.0 percent). Boston, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 6.7 (better than their season average of 11.8). Trey Burke was the game’s high scorer with 29 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the field.
The productive offense of New Orleans (third in the league with an offensive efficiency of 111.9) will clash against the porous defense of New York (29th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 111.4). The Pelicans should have the advantage on that side of the ball.
New Orleans holds records of 10-8 straight up (SU) and 9-9 against the spread (ATS). Of the Pelicans’ 18 games, 11 have gone over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, New York owns records of 5-14 SU and 10-8-1 ATS. Knicks games also tend to finish over the total (57.9 percent).
E’Twaun Moore has averaged 22 points over the last five games for New Orleans.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Anthony Davis scored a game-high 43 points in the first game, in which the Pelicans beat the Knicks 129-124 but could not cover as 11-point favorites. He also recorded 17 rebounds and 5 assists. The game finished with a total of 253 points, which was 26 points above the projected point total of 227 points. New Orleans did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (23-32; 71.9 percent). New York, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (10.7 vs. 11.7).
Pelicans at Knicks Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
New Orleans averages 17.3 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. New York ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (15.5).
New York averages 7.526315789473684 steals per game, which ranks 16 in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 23 in steals allowed per game (8.555555555555555).
The Knicks rank 22 in three pointers attempted per game (29) while the Pelicans rank 25 (27.77777777777778).
New Orleans is 4-5 ATS on the road, while New York is 4-3-1 ATS at home.
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
New York is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Pelicans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.2, up from 2.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 115.0 points per game (6.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 123.0 points per game (8.4 above their season average).
*****
