The Charlotte Hornets (19-38) go head-to-head against the New York Knicks (17-40) at the Spectrum Center. The game will air on MSG Network at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 206 points with New York set as a 1-point favorite at PointsBet on the NJ Sports Betting App.
New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets Betting Prediction
Although the Knicks were topped by the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 123-112, they did cover as 13.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (235) were over the projected point total of 227. Houston’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over New York. The Rockets had a rate of 11.5 (better than their season average of 12.0), while the Knicks posted a mark of 14.0. New York’s Julius Randle played well, recording 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The last time the Hornets played, they lost big to the Indiana Pacers, 119-80, despite being 4.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (199) came in under the O/U total of 210. Indiana’s 0.628 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Charlotte, who had a mark of 0.383. The Pacers’ mark was above their season average of 0.531, while the Hornets’ was below their season average of 0.502. With 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting, Miles Bridges led Charlotte in scoring.
The Hornets have emerged victorious in both matchups against the Knicks this year, including a five-point victory in their last matchup. Charlotte covered as a 2-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 189 points, which was 19.5 points below the projected point total of 208.5 points. The Hornets made 21 of their 27 free throws (77.8 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.0 vs. 18.6). Terry Rozier recorded a double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
New York heads into the contest with records of 17-40 straight up (SU) and 29-26-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Knicks’ 57 games, 33 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 19-38 SU and 26-28-2 ATS. Games featuring the Hornets also have gone under the O/U total 51.8 percent of the time.
New York could own the offensive glass in this contest. The Knicks are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking first in offensive rebounding percentage at 25.3 percent. Meanwhile, Charlotte ranks 30th in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.7 percent.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, New York is 16-12-1 ATS with 15 unders and 14 overs.
At home, Charlotte is 9-14-2 ATS with 14 unders and 11 overs.
New York is 7-3 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Charlotte is 6-0.
When scoring over 100 points, the Hornets are 15-21 and the Knicks are 14-24.
New York ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.6) while Charlotte ranks 23rd (51.0).
The Knicks rank sixth in rebounds per game (46.5) while the Hornets rank 25th (42.9).
New York ranks first in second chance points per game (15.1) while Charlotte ranks 19th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
The Hornets rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (34.4) while the Knicks rank 28th (29.3).
New York ranks 14th in assists allowed per game (24.1) while Charlotte ranks last (26.8).
The Hornets rank third in fast break points allowed per game (11.7) while the Knicks rank 18th (13.5).
New York ranks 15th in steals per game (7.8) while Charlotte ranks 26th (6.6).
The Hornets rank 21st in points off turnovers per game (16.1) while the Knicks rank 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5).
In its last five contests, New York is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 7.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 94.2 points per game (8.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.2 points per game (7.9 below their season average).