Thursday, March 23, 2017

Moda Center

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The New York Knicks travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Thursday, March 23, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 8 point favorites.

The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 27-43. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.4 as they are averaging 105.3 points per game while giving up 108.7 per contest. The Blazers have an overall record of 32-38. They currently are 4th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.0 points per game and surrendering 109.7, good for a point differential of -1.7.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 36-34-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 35-35-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 30-40-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 40-30-0 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

03/20/17 C Joakim Noah Knee out for season

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

03/18/17 C Festus Ezeli Knee out for season
03/01/17 F Ed Davis Shoulder out for season

Player Spotlight

Derrick Rose comes into this contest averaging 17.8 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Knicks. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 87%. Carmelo Anthony averages 22.8 points per game in 34.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 6 rebounds per game for New York. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard averages 26.9 points per game while playing 36 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 5.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 90%. C.J. McCollum averages 23.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.7 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 105.3 points per contest this season which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.39 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 45.7 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game which ranks them 4th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 14 per game. The Knicks allow 108.7 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 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 22.1 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 108 points per game this year which ranks them 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.69 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 13th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 10th in the NBA. They average 43.7 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per contest which ranks them 15th and 20th respectively. In the turnover department the Blazers rank 12th with 14.1 per game. The Blazers allow 109.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc ranking them 14th and 27th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.8 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. The Blazers force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks have an offensive rating of 108 and a defensive rating of 111.5. In terms of pace they average 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots. New York turns the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers rating on offense is 109.8 and they have a defensive rating of 111.5. They get 97 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 52%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 32% of their shot attempts. Portland turns the ball over on 12.7 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Portland -8

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