Portland Blazers vs. New York Knicks - 1/1/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Portland Trail Blazers vs New York Knicks

Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 222.5

CJ McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers (14-20, 4th in the Northwest Division) are headed to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday where they'll meet the New York Knicks (9-24, 5th in the Atlantic Division). New York opens this game as 3.5 point dogs. The over/under is set at 222.5.

The Blazers cover the spread 40.6% of the time, having gone 13-19-2 ATS. New York is covering 51.5% of the time, going 17-16-0 against the spread.

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/30/2019 Mario Hezonja SF Back Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/29/2019 Skal Labissiere PF Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 11
12/9/2019 Jusuf Nurkic C Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Feb 15
12/7/2019 Rodney Hood SG Achilles Out for the season
11/12/2019 Zach Collins PF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Mar 15

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/30/2019 Kevin II Knox SF Illness Game Time Decision
12/30/2019 Damyean Dotson SG Back Game Time Decision
12/29/2019 Jr PG Oblique Game Time Decision
12/29/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum comes into this game averaging 22.4 points per contest while playing 36.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 82%. Damian Lillard averages 27.2 points per contest in 36.8 minutes per game. He averages 7.6 assists per game and 4.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle scores 18.7 points per contest while playing 32.0 minutes per game. He hauls in 8.8 rebounds per contest and has 3.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 70%. Marcus Morris averages 18.3 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 31.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.6 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 112.6 points per contest, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They average 46.3 boards per contest and 19.8 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 27th with 13.6 per game. The Blazers allow 114.0 points per contest, which is 22nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 18th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 47.7 rebounds a game which ranks 29th, and they allow 23.4 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 29th in the NBA with 103.3 points per contest this season. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -8.12. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 23rd in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.2 boards per contest and 29th in assists per game with 20.9. The Knicks are 21st in turnovers per contest with 14.5. The Knicks give up 111.4 points per game, which ranks them 19th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.9 dimes allowed per game and 22nd with 46.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 8th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.5, and their defensive rating of 111.9 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 19th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league. Portland is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 9th in the league. The Knicks are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.4, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York +3.5

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