The New York Knicks (19-42) take on the Utah Jazz (38-22) at Madison Square Garden. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.
Utah opened as a 7.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 220 points at Sugarhouse Sportsbook.
Utah Jazz vs. New York Knicks Free Prediction
The Jazz come in on a high note after covering the 9.5-point spread against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last contest, 126-113. The total points for the game (239) came in well over the O/U total of 218.5. The Jazz had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.687 (above their season average of 0.550) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.2 (above their season average of 21.3). Utah was led by Bojan Bogdanovic, who led the team in scoring with 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting.
The last time the Knicks played, they edged the Houston Rockets, 125-123, despite being 10-point underdogs. The game’s total points (248) were well over the O/U total of 230. New York won the rebounding battle. The Knicks had more offensive rebounds (20 vs. eight), defensive rebounds (45 vs. 26) and total rebounds (65 vs. 34). With 16 points and 16 rebounds, Julius Randle played well for New York.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. Rudy Gobert recorded 16 points and 16 rebounds in the first game, in which the Jazz beat the Knicks 128-104, covering as 13.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 232 points, which was 18.5 points above the projected point total of 213.5 points. The Jazz had a better free throw rate (0.156 vs. 0.113) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.633 vs. 0.479).
Utah holds records of 38-22 straight up (SU) and 28-29-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Jazz’s 60 games, 32 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, New York is 19-42 SU and 31-28-2 ATS. Unlike Utah, just over half of Knicks games have finished under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Donovan Mitchell (30 points,3.8 assists) has been great for the Jazz while Mitchell Robinson (12 points,10.0 rebounds,3.4 blocks) has contributed greatly to the Knicks.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Knicks are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking first in offensive rebounding percentage at 25.9 percent. Meanwhile, Utah ranks fourth in the league at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 79.5 percent. Also, the Jazz rank second in effective field goal percentage (0.553), whereas the porous defense of the Knicks ranks 25th with an effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.542.
Utah Jazz at New York Knicks Odds Pick
NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Utah is 15-14-1 ATS on the road with 16 overs and 14 unders.
At home, New York is 15-14-1 ATS with 18 unders, 11 overs and 1 push.
When allowing less than 100 points, Utah is 12-2 and New York is 7-3.
When reaching 100 points, the Jazz are 37-16 and the Knicks are 16-26.
New York ranks first in second chance points per game (15.4) while Utah ranks 23rd (12.4).
The Jazz rank third in three pointers allowed per game (31.6) while the Knicks rank 24th (34.8).
New York ranks 17th in steals per game (7.6) while Utah ranks last (5.7).
The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (21.1) while the Knicks rank 13th (24.3).
New York ranks 19th in blocks per game (4.7) while Utah ranks 29th (3.9).
The Jazz rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (42.5) while the Knicks rank 12th (44.5).
New York ranks 23rd in points off turnovers per game (15.8) while Utah ranks 29th (14.0).
The Knicks rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.6) while the Jazz rank seventh (46.1).
Utah ranks 27th in fast break points per game (10.7) while New York ranks 29th (9.4).
Over its last five contests, Utah is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New York is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Jazz have been outscored by an average of 3.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Utah has defeated opponents by an average of 3.2 points.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 113.8 points per game (8.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.6 points per game (4.6 above their season average).