New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/30/2017

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, December 30, 2017. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 8.5 point favorites.

The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 17-18. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.1 as they are averaging 103.6 points per game while giving up 103.7 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 18-16. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 111.1 points per contest and giving up 110.9, which is a point differential of 0.2.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 19-16-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 16-18-1 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 20-14-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 21-13-0 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis comes into this game averaging 24.3 points per contest while playing 32.1 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 6.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Enes Kanter averages 13.7 points per contest in 25.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.4 assists per game and 10.3 rebounds per contest for New York. His field goal percentage is 59% for the season while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins has scored 25.9 points per contest while playing 35.1 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 12.1 rebounds per contest and has 5.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Jrue Holiday averages 18.1 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.3 rebounds per game and 5.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 103.6 points per contest this year, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.11 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 8th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 44.3 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 8th with 15.6 per game. The Knicks allow 103.7 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 16th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 40.8 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they allow 22.5 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the NBA with 111.1 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 0.24. They shoot 39% from beyond the arc, which is good for 1st in the league. They are 17th in the NBA in rebounding with 43 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 26.8. The Pelicans are 4th in turnovers per contest with 16.2. The Pelicans give up 110.9 points per game, which ranks them 29th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 20th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 23.9 dimes allowed per game and 17th with 43.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 15th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 20th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 25% of their shots, ranking 30th in the league. New York is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league. The Pelicans are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.4, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 3rd. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +8.5

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