The New Orleans Pelicans (7-7) clash against the New York Knicks (4-11) at the Smoothie King Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 16, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – New Orleans.
New Orleans opened as a 10-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 227 points.
New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Knicks failed to cover as 8.5-point underdogs in their 128-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last matchup. The total points for the game (231) were well over the projected point total of 213. Oklahoma City’s 32.5 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over New York, who had a mark of 20.9. The Thunder’s mark was above their season average of 28.0, while the Knicks’ was below their season average of 26.5. Enes Kanter had a good game for New York, finishing with 19 points and five rebounds.
In the Pelicans’ last matchup, they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 107-100, despite being 2-point favorites. The total points for the game (207) were well under the projected point total of 232.5. Minnesota’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over New Orleans. The Timberwolves had a rate of 0.211 (below their season average of 0.224), while the Pelicans posted a mark of 0.117 (below their season average of 0.221). New Orleans’ Anthony Davis put up 29 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. The Pelicans won the most recent game 123-118. The Pelicans made 24 of their 34 free throws (70.6 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (14.7 vs. 17.3).
New York heads into the game with records of 4-11 straight up (SU) and 7-7-1 against the spread (ATS). Knicks games have a slight tendency to go under the total (53.3 percent).
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 7-7 SU and 6-8 ATS. Of the Pelicans’ 14 games, seven have finished over the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Kanter (17.8 points and 15.4 rebounds) has been great for the Knicks while Jrue Holiday (23.2 points, 10.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has made solid contributions to the Pelicans.
The prolific offense of New Orleans will square off against the mid-tier defense of New York. The Pelicans rank seventh in offensive efficiency, while the Knicks are 26th in defensive efficiency. The Pelicans figure to have the advantage on that end of the court.
New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, New York is 4-4 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
At home, New Orleans is 3-3 ATS with 3 unders, 2 overs and 1 push.
New York is 1-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while New Orleans is 2-0.
When scoring more than 100 points, the Pelicans are 7-6 and the Knicks are 4-8.
New Orleans ranks second in assists per game (26.9) while New York ranks 29th (19.0).
The Pelicans rank first in points in the paint per game (59.6) while the Knicks rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.2).
New York ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (11.4) while New Orleans ranks 29th (16.6).
The Pelicans average 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Knicks rank 26th in blocks allowed per game (6.6).
New Orleans averages 15.6 second chance points per game, which ranks fourth in the league. New York ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (14.3).
The Pelicans average 48.0 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Knicks rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (46.0).
New York ranks 13th in steals per game (7.7) while New Orleans ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (8.9).
The Knicks rank 21st in three pointers attempted per game (28.9) while the Pelicans rank 25th (27.5).
New York ranks ninth in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while New Orleans ranks 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.9).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, New York is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New Orleans is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.6, up from 6.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 113.6 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.2 points per game (8.6 below their season average).
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