New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Spectrum Center

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The New York Knicks head to Spectrum Center to take on the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 16-13. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.1 as they are averaging 104.8 points per game while giving up 103.7 per contest. The Hornets have an overall record of 10-19. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.0 points per game and surrendering 106.2, good for a point differential of -2.2.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 17-12-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 14-14-1 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 11-16-2 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 12-16-1 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/17/17 F Kristaps Porzingis Knee is "?" Monday vs Charlotte
12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis comes into this game averaging 25.5 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Enes Kanter averages 13.3 points per contest in 25.8 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.4 assists per game and 10.1 rebounds per contest for New York. His field goal percentage is 60% for the season while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard has scored 16.1 points per contest while playing 30.2 minutes per game this season for the Hornets. He hauls in 12.7 rebounds per contest and has 1.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is at 52%. Kemba Walker averages 21.9 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 35.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.7 rebounds per game and 6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.8 points per contest this year, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.1 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 7th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 44 boards per contest and 23 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 7th with 15.9 per game. The Knicks allow 103.7 points per contest which is 12th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 13th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 40 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they allow 22.4 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 17th in the NBA with 104 points per contest this season. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -2.14. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 26th in the league. They are 2nd in the NBA in rebounding with 47 boards per contest and 28th in assists per game with 20.1. The Hornets are 28th in turnovers per contest with 13.3. The Hornets give up 106.2 points per game, which ranks them 19th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 11th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 22.7 dimes allowed per game and 22nd with 44.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Hornets are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 107.7, and their offensive rating of 108.9 is ranked 16th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 12th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA. New York is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 21st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 19th in the NBA. The Hornets are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 106.6, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 18th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Knicks/Hornets NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New York

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