Denver Nuggets vs New York Knicks Expert NBA Picks 12/5/2019

Game: Denver Nuggets vs New York Knicks

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2019

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -6

Total/Over-Under: 224

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (13-4, 1st in the Northwest Division) go to Madison Square Garden on Thursday where they'll meet the New York Knicks (4-17, 5th in the Atlantic Division). New York opens this matchup as 6 point underdogs. The over/under is set at 224.

The Nuggets cover 47.1% of the time, having gone 8-9-1 ATS. New York is covering 47.6% of the time, going 10-11-0 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/2/2019 Frank Ntilikina PG Back Game Time Decision
12/2/2019 Marcus Morris SF Neck Game Time Decision
12/2/2019 Elfrid Payton PG Hamstring Game Time Decision
11/13/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 20

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic comes into this game averaging 15.4 points per contest while playing 31.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 10.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 78%. Jamal Murray averages 18.7 points per contest in 33.3 minutes per game. He averages 4.9 assists per game and 4.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 91%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle scores 17.3 points per contest while playing 32.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 8.7 rebounds per contest and has 3.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 67%. Marcus Morris averages 18.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.2 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 106.1 points per contest, which is 24th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 23rd. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 46.9 boards per contest and 25.9 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.9 per game. The Nuggets allow 101.9 points per contest, which is 1st in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.8 rebounds a game which ranks 15th, and they allow 24.0 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 30th in the NBA with 100.9 points per contest this season. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -9.52. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 20th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.6 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 19.6. The Knicks are 18th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Knicks give up 110.4 points per game, which ranks them 17th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.4 dimes allowed per game and 14th with 45.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 12th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.5, and their defensive rating of 102.3 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 25th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Denver is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 15th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 7th in the NBA. The Knicks are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 112.9, and their offensive rating of 103.1 is ranked 23rd. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +6

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