Saturday, February 4, 2017

Madison Square Garden

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The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Saturday, February 4, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 5 point favorites.

The Cavaliers come into this game with an overall record of 33-15. They are 1st in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 5.1 as they are averaging 110.0 points per game while giving up 104.9 per contest. The Knicks have an overall record of 22-29. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 105.8 points per game and surrendering 108.5, good for a point differential of -2.7.

Kyrie Irving comes into this contest averaging 24.2 points per game while playing 35 minutes per night so far this season for the Cavaliers. He pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Lebron James averages 25.7 points per game in 37.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8.6 assists per contest and 8 rebounds per game for Cleveland. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

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Carmelo Anthony averages 23 points per game while playing 33.7 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 6.1 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 18.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.1 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Cleveland averages 110 points per contest this season which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 3rd in the league. They average 53.7 rebounds per game and 22.1 assists per game which ranks them 6th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 13.9 per game. The Cavaliers allow 104.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 13th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 51.5 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 24.1 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league.

New York averages 105.8 points per game this year which ranks them 12th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 22nd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 55.1 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per contest which ranks them 3rd and 19th respectively. In the turnover department the Knicks rank 17th with 14.2 per game. The Knicks allow 108.5 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 12th and 7th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 53.4 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. The Knicks force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the NBA.

The Cavaliers have an offensive rating of 112.9 and a defensive rating of 107.6. In terms of pace they average 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 53%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Cleveland turns the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Knicks rating on offense is 107.9 and they have a defensive rating of 110.7. They get 96.7 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 28% of their shot attempts. New York turns the ball over on 12.5 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.6 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 20-26-2 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 26-22-0 against the over/under

New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 29-22-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 26-25-0 against the over/under

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/21/16 G J.R. Smith Thumb out indefinitely
12/16/16 F Chris Andersen ACL out for season
02/03/17 F Kevin Love Back "?" Saturday vs. New York

New York Knicks Injuries

02/03/17 PG Derrick Rose Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Cleveland
02/03/17 F Kristaps Porzingis Back injured last game, probable Saturday vs. Cleveland
01/17/17 F Lance Thomas Facial out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Cleveland -5

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