The New York Knicks (15-13) square off against the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-14) at Madison Square Garden. The game can be seen on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, 2017.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks ATS Prediction
In the Thunder’s last matchup, they beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 119-117. Oklahoma City won the rebounding battle. The Thunder had 18 offensive rebounds and 60 total rebounds, while the 76ers had seven and 50, respectively. Russell Westbrook played a huge role in the victory for Oklahoma City, registering 27 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists on his way to his ninth triple-double this year.
The Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets in their last contest, 111-104. New York had a better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 15.4). Brooklyn, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.2 (above their season average of 21.9). Courtney Lee was the game’s high scorer with 27 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of New York. New York ranks 27th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.6 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Oklahoma City forces the most turnovers in the NBA (17.3 percent).
Oklahoma City comes into the game with records of 14-14 straight up (SU) and 8-18-1 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Thunder have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (63.0 percent).
Meanwhile, New York is 15-13 SU and 16-12 ATS. There does not appear to be a trend for Knicks games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Steven Adams has averaged 17.4 points and 11.0 rebounds over the last five games for Oklahoma City.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Westbrook notched a triple-double. He had 21 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds and the Thunder defeated the Knicks 105-84, covering as 12-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 189 points, which was 26 points below the projected point total of 215 points. The Thunder had a much better turnover percentage (15.3 vs. 22.2) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.494 vs. 0.449).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Knicks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Oklahoma City is 3-11 ATS with 9 unders and 5 overs.
At home, New York is 13-5 ATS with 9 overs and 9 unders.
Oklahoma City is 10-4 when they allow less than 100 points, while New York is 6-0.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Thunder are 12-6 and the Knicks are 14-6.
Oklahoma City averages 19.3 points off turnovers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. New York ranks 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.6).
The Thunder rank first in steals per game (10.0) while the Knicks rank 24th (7.0).
Oklahoma City ranks sixth in fast break points per game (14.4) while New York ranks 28th (6.2).
The Thunder average 29.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 14th in the league. The Knicks rank last in three pointers allowed per game (33.0).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in second chance points per game (14.5) while New York ranks 15th in second chance points allowed per game (12.5).
The Knicks rank first in rebounds allowed per game (40.0) while the Thunder rank 10th (42.3).
Oklahoma City ranks 14th in blocks per game (4.8) while New York ranks 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
The Knicks allow the second-fewest points in the paint per game (39.9) while the Thunder rank third (40.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New York is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Thunder have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Oklahoma City has defeated opponents by an average of 2.3 points.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 107.2 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.4 points per game (1.6 below their season average).
