New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: NBC Sports Washington Plus

Odds/Point Spread: Washington +2

Total/Over-Under: 224

Ish Smith and the Washington Wizards (9-21, 4th in the Southeast Division) play the New York Knicks (8-24, 5th in the Atlantic Division) at Capital One Arena on Saturday, December 28, 2019. New York opens this game as 2 point favorites. The over/under opens at 224.

The Knicks are covering the spread 50.0% of the time, having gone 16-16-0 ATS. Washington is covering 51.7% of the time, going 15-14-1 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/26/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/26/2019 Jr PG Oblique Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/26/2019 Wayne Ellington SG Achilles Expected to be out until at least Dec 28

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

12/26/2019 Bradley Beal SG Lower Leg Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Davis Bertans SF Quadriceps Expected to be out until at least Dec 30
12/22/2019 Isaiah Thomas PG Suspension Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/21/2019 Moe Wagner SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/17/2019 Rui Hachimura PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/10/2019 C.J SF Wrist Expected to be out until at least Apr 1
12/4/2019 Thomas Bryant C Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 5
7/23/2019 John Wall PG Achilles Expected to be out until at least May 1

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle comes into this contest averaging 18.4 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 69%. Marcus Morris averages 18.6 points per game in 31.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 5.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Ish Smith averages 9.8 points per game while playing 25.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 4.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Bradley Beal averages 27.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 6.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 103.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -8.6 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 45.9 rebounds per game and 20.8 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 14.3 per game. The Knicks allow 111.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.3 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 24.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington is 3rd in the league with 117.0 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -5.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 41.7 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 27.0. The Wizards are 23rd in turnovers per game with 14.0. The Wizards surrender 122.0 points per contest, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 26.7 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 46.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wizards are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 113.1, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 26th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. 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 26th in the NBA. New York is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 57%, which is 1st in the league. The Wizards are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.6, and their defensive rating of 117.4 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York -2

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