Friday, December 30, 2016

Smoothie King Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The New York Knicks travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, December 30, 2016. The opening line for this matchup has New York as 2 point favorites and the total is set at 208. The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 16-15. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.4 as they are averaging 105.4 points per game while giving up 107.7 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 13-21. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.8 points per game and surrendering 106.4, good for a point differential of -3.5.

Carmelo Anthony comes into this contest averaging 22.3 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Knicks. He pulls down 6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 88%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 20.1 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game for New York. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Anthony Davis averages 29.3 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 11.5 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Jrue Holiday averages 14.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 6.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 67%.

New York averages 105.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 54.5 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game which ranks them 6th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 14.2 per game. The Knicks allow 107.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 13th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 54.3 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

New Orleans averages 102.8 points per game this year which ranks them 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 52.8 rebounds per game and 22.9 assists per contest which ranks them 13th and 8th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 7th with 12.7 per game. The Pelicans allow 106.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 11th and 15th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 56.3 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the NBA.

The Knicks have an offensive rating of 107.7 and a defensive rating of 110.1. In terms of pace they average 96.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 49%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they shoot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots. New York turns the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

The Pelicans rating on offense is 103.4 and they have a defensive rating of 106.9. They get 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 49%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 11.6 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 19-12-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 16-15-0 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-18-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-17-0 against the over/under

New York Knicks Injuries

12/29/16 F Carmelo Anthony Disciplinary probable Friday vs. New Orleans
12/29/16 G Courtney Lee Wrist "?" Friday vs. New Orleans
12/29/16 F Maurice Ndour Ankle "?" Friday vs. New Orleans

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take New York -2

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn