Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 10/17/2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Atlanta Hawks travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New York as 3.5 point favorites.

The Hawks come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 24-58. They were 5th in the Southeast Division. They had a point differential of -5.4 as they averaged 103.4 points per game while giving up 108.8 per contest. The Knicks had an overall record of 29-53 last season. They were 4th in the Atlantic Division. They averaged 104.5 points per game and surrendered 108.0, good for a point differential of -3.5.

Valuable Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks were 40-40-2 against the spread last season

The Atlanta Hawks were 37-43-0 against the over/under last year

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks were 38-44-0 against the spread last season

The New York Knicks were 41-39-0 against the over/under last year

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

10/11/18 F John Collins Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs New York
10/03/18 C Dewayne Dedmon Ankle is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

10/11/18 G Courtney Lee Neck is out indefinitely
10/11/18 F Kristaps Porzingis Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Vince Carter averaged 5.4 points per game in 17.7 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 1.2 assists per contest and 2.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 40% for the year while his free throw percentage was 76%. Kent Bazemore comes into this contest after averaging 12.9 points per game while playing 27.5 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 3.8 rebounds per game and dished out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 42% while his free throw percentage was at 80%.

Player Spotlight

Courtney Lee averaged 12.0 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 30.4 minutes per contest. He also averaged 2.9 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 45% and his free throw percentage was 92%. Tim Hardaway averaged 17.5 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 3.9 rebounds per game and had 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 42% and his free throw percentage finished at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hawks allowed 108.8 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 23rd in the league. They also allowed a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 23rd and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44.2 rebounds a game which ranked 23rd, and they gave up 26.0 assists per contest which put them in 30th place in the league. They forced 15.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 26th in the league. Atlanta averaged 103.4 points per contest last season, which ranked them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was -5.5 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a team, which had them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shot 36% which was good for 16th in the league. They averaged 41.9 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranked them 25th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 4th with 15.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knicks surrendered 108.0 points per contest, which ranked them 20th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 22nd with 24.0 assists allowed per contest, and 16th with 43.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks were 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game last season. New York was 18th in the league with 104.5 points per game last year. They were 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin was -3.6. They shot 35% from 3-point range, which was good for 25th in the NBA. They were 13th in the league in rebounding with 44.0 boards per game and 13th in assists per contest with 23.3. The Knicks were 10th in turnovers per game with 14.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Hawks were 26th in the league in defensive rating with 110.6, and their offensive rating of 105 was ranked 22nd. They were 10th in the NBA in pace with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% was 22nd. As a unit they were 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Atlanta was 2nd in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 54%, which was 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New York was 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 52%, which was 16th in the NBA. The Knicks were 20th in the league in defensive rating with 110.7, and their offensive rating of 107.1 was ranked 23rd. They were 15th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% was 24th. As a unit they were 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New York -3.5

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