The New York Knicks (10-28) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (13-25) at Madison Square Garden. The game will air on ESPN at 7:15 p.m. ET on Friday, January 10, 2020.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. New York Knicks ATS Prediction
The Pelicans come in on a high note after comfortably covering the 3-point spread against the Chicago Bulls in their last outing, 123-108. The combined points for the game (231) were over the O/U total of 223.5. The Pelicans knocked down 26 of their 32 free throws (81.3 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.3 (above their season average of 23.0). With 29 points on 7-for-19 shooting, Brandon Ingram led New Orleans in scoring.
In the Knicks’ last game, they got blown out by the Utah Jazz, 128-104. They were not able to cover as 13.5-point underdogs. The gameโs combined points (232) came in well over the O/U total of 213.5. Utah’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over New York. The Jazz had a rate of 0.156 (below their season average of 0.214), while the Knicks posted a mark of 0.113 (below their season average of 0.186). New York’s Bobby Portis contributed 13 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in the contest.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Knicks won the last contest 114-109. The Knicks had a better turnover percentage (7.2 vs. 11.0) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.516 vs. 0.431).
New Orleans holds records of 13-25 straight up (SU) and 16-19-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Pelicans games, with 20 overs compared to 18 unders.
Meanwhile, New York is 10-28 SU and 18-19-1 ATS. Of the Knicks’ 38 games, 22 have finished under the O/U total.
Conflicting styles will be on display in this showdown. New Orleans has preferred to play fast (sixth in possessions per game), while New York has been more methodical (19th in possessions per game).
New Orleans Pelicans vs. New York Knicks ATS Pick
NBA Tip:ย ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, New Orleans is 7-9-3 ATS with 10 overs and 9 unders.
New York is 7-9-1 ATS at home with 12 unders and 5 overs.
New York is 3-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while New Orleans is 3-0.
The Pelicans are 13-22 when they reach 100 points, while the Knicks are 9-18.
New Orleans ranks fourth in fast break points per game (16.3) while New York ranks 28th (10.2).
The Knicks rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.5) while the Pelicans rank 26th (51.1).
New Orleans averages 38.8 three pointers per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. New York ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (35.3).
The Knicks rank second in second chance points per game (14.7) while the Pelicans rank 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.7).
New Orleans ranks 10th in assists per game (25.0) while New York ranks 28th (20.9).
The Knicks rank fifth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while the Pelicans rank 16th (7.8).
New York ranks 15th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.1) while New Orleans ranks 25th (18.5).
The Pelicans average 45.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. The Knicks rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.4).
New Orleans ranks 13th in blocks per game (5.0) while New York ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
Over its last five games, New Orleans is 4-0-1 ATS with 5 overs.
New York is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Pelicans have outscored opponents by an average of 4.0 points in their last five games. On the season, New Orleans has lost by an average of 3.6 points.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 110.4 points per game (6.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.6 points per game (6.3 above their season average).