San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 1/2/2018

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The San Antonio Spurs head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

The Spurs head into this matchup with a mark of 25-12. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.1 as they are averaging 101.2 points per contest while giving up 98.1 per game. The Knicks have an overall mark of 18-18. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.6 points per contest and giving up 103.7, which is a point differential of -0.1.

Valuable San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs are 19-17-1 against the spread

The San Antonio Spurs are 15-22-0 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 20-16-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 16-19-1 against the over/under

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

12/29/17 F Rudy Gay Heel is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Pau Gasol comes into this game averaging 10.9 points per contest while playing 25 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 81%. LaMarcus Aldridge averages 22 points per contest in 33.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 2 assists per game and 8.4 rebounds per contest for San Antonio. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis has scored 24.5 points per contest while playing 32.1 minutes per game this season for the Knicks. He hauls in 6.7 rebounds per contest and has 1.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Enes Kanter averages 13.5 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 25.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 10.3 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

San Antonio averages 101.2 points per contest this year, which is 24th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.08 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 12th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 44.5 boards per contest and 22.1 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 22nd with 14 per game. The Spurs allow 98.1 points per contest which is 1st in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 9th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.4 rebounds a game which ranks 6th, and they allow 21.2 assists per game which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 19th in the NBA with 103.6 points per contest this season. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is -0.06. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 10th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.5 boards per contest and 12th in assists per game with 22.8. The Knicks are 11th in turnovers per contest with 15.3. The Knicks give up 103.7 points per game, which ranks them 11th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 4th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 22.6 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 41 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 10th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Spurs are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 103.9, and their offensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 29th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 94.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 19th. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA. San Antonio is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Knicks are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 107.5, and their offensive rating of 107.5 is ranked 16th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 22nd. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 25% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take San Antonio

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