The Washington Wizards (9-21) go head-to-head with the New York Knicks (8-24) at Capital One Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards ATS Prediction
In the Knicks’ last outing, they beat the Brooklyn Nets, 94-82, as 7-point underdogs. The total points for the game (176) finished well under the projected point total of 226. The Knicks held the Nets to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.1 (below their season average of 23.9) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.353 (below their season average of 0.516). New York rallied around Julius Randle, who was the game’s high scorer with 33 points on 14-for-26 shooting.
The Wizards were blown out by the Detroit Pistons in their last contest, 132-102. They failed to cover as 6.5-point underdogs. The total points for the game (234) came in over the projected point total of 228.5. Detroit’s 0.645 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Washington, who had a mark of 0.451. The Pistons’ mark was above their season average of 0.539, while the Wizards’ was below their season average of 0.535. Anzejs Pasecniks had a good game for Washington, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
The prolific offense of Washington will square off against the bottom-tier defense of New York. The Wizards rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while the Knicks are 27th in defensive efficiency. The Wizards should have the advantage on that side of the ball. Additionally, the Knicks rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (25.2 percent), while the Wizards rank 28th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.9 percent).
New York holds records of 8-24 straight up (SU) and 15-16-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Knicks are playing, as 19 of their 32 games have gone under the total.
Meanwhile, Washington owns records of 9-21 SU and 16-14 ATS. Contrary to New York, games including the Wizards tend to finish over the projected point total (60.0 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. Brown recorded 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the first game, in which the Wizards beat the Knicks 121-115, covering as 3.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 236 points, which was 9 points above the projected point total of 227 points. The Wizards had a much better turnover percentage (6.6 vs. 12.3) and had a better free throw rate (0.170 vs. 0.129).
Knicks at Wizards Betting Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, New York is 9-7 ATS with 8 overs and 8 unders.
Washington is 5-6 ATS at home with 6 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Washington is 2-0 and New York is 2-1.
The Wizards are 8-21 when they score over 100 points, while the Knicks are 7-15.
New York averages 15.0 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. Washington ranks 27th in second chance points allowed per game (14.7).
The Wizards rank second in assists per game (27.0) while the Knicks rank 28th (20.8).
New York ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (42.2) while Washington ranks 26th (51.3).
The Knicks rank 12th in rebounds per game (45.9) while the Wizards rank last (41.7).
Washington ranks 13th in three pointers attempted per game (34.5) while New York ranks 26th in three pointers allowed per game (35.8).
The Knicks rank 14th in blocks allowed per game (4.9) while the Wizards rank 25th (5.7).
Washington ranks 18th in fast break points per game (12.5) while New York ranks 28th (10.1).
The Wizards average 18.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Knicks rank 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.9).
New York ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Washington ranks seventh (7.0).
Over its last five outings, New York is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Washington is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 111.6 points per game (5.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 120.8 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
