New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets - 12/15/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New York Knicks vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2019

Location: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -12

Total/Over-Under: 207.5

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (15-8, 1st in the Northwest Division) host the New York Knicks (6-20, 5th in the Atlantic Division) at Pepsi Center on Sunday, December 15, 2019. Denver opens this contest as 12 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 207.5.

The Knicks cover the spread 50.0% of the time, having gone 13-13-0 ATS. Denver is covering the spread 47.6% of the time, going 10-11-2 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/13/2019 Allonzo Trier SG Concussion Expected to be out until at least Dec 17
12/12/2019 Wayne Ellington SG Achilles Expected to be out until at least Dec 15
11/13/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 20

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/13/2019 Paul Millsap PF Quadriceps Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 66%. Marcus Morris averages 18.6 points per game in 32.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 16.2 points per game while playing 31.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 10.0 rebounds per game and has 6.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Jamal Murray averages 17.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 4.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 101.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -10.1 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 45.2 rebounds per game and 20.2 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 14.7 per game. The Knicks allow 111.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 19th and they give up 23.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 23rd in the league with 106.2 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.6. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 46.0 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 26.1. The Nuggets are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Nuggets surrender 101.6 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.8 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 44.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.9, and their defensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 30th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. New York is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 7th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 27th in the NBA. The Nuggets are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 102.6, and their offensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 2nd. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 25th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +12

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