New York Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 2/26/2020

Game: New York Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets

Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Charlotte

Odds/Point Spread: Charlotte -2

Total/Over-Under: 206

Elfrid Payton and the New York Knicks (17-40, 5th in the Atlantic Division) head to Spectrum Center on Wednesday where they'll take on the Charlotte Hornets (19-37, 4th in the Southeast Division). The line on this contest has Charlotte as 2 point favorites. The total opens at 206.

The Knicks are covering the spread 53.6% of the time, having gone 30-26-1 ATS. Charlotte is covering the spread 48.2% of the time, going 27-29-0 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/24/20 PG Elfrid Payton Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs Charlotte
02/24/20 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is questionable Wednesday vs Charlotte

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Elfrid Payton comes into this contest averaging 9.7 points per game while playing 27.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 54%. Julius Randle averages 19.0 points per game in 32.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 9.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier averages 17.6 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 4.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Devonte' Graham averages 17.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 7.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.1 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 27th in the league. They average 46.5 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.4 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 18th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 24.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league with 102.6 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -7.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 23.7. The Hornets are 15th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Hornets surrender 110.0 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 26.7 assists allowed per contest and 22nd with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 17th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 112.4, and their offensive rating of 105.3 is ranked 23rd. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. New York is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 9th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 4th in the league. The Hornets are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.7, and their defensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New York +2

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