The New Orleans Pelicans (13-25) head to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks (10-28) Friday at 7:15 p.m. ET. We analyze Pelicans-Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Pelicans at Knicks: Key injuries
Pelicans
- PG Jrue Holiday (elbow) out
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SF Zion Williamson (knee) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out
Knicks
- PG Dennis Smith Jr. (oblique) questionable
- PF Marcus Morris Sr. (neck) questionable
- PF Julius Randle (personal) out
- PF Mitchell Robinson (toe) probable
Pelicans at Knicks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Pelicans 118, Knicks 110
Moneyline (ML)
The Knicks (+165) return home after losing all four games of their West Coast road trip while the Pelicans have won seven of their last 10 games. Look for SF Brandon Ingram to feast in this matchup—the Knicks allow the second-most points per game to small forwards (23 PPG)—and New York could be without its leading scorer in Morris. Ingram is having an all-star-caliber campaign and should be pumped to put on a show at MSG on a Friday.
However, the Pelicans’ -200 odds lack value, making the moneyline a PASS.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The PELICANS (-4.5, -115) have been scalding hot against the spread in their last 10 games, going 8-1-1 ATS, and I expect them to build on their recent performance against a struggling Knicks team. It would be huge if PF Julius Randle, who’s out for personal reasons, could suit up in this game since he’s their second-leading scorer and there would be a revenge motivation since he played for the Pelicans last season.
It’s tough seeing how the Knicks’ 29th-ranked offense can keep up with the Pelicans’ eighth-ranked offense without its two leading scorers.
Over/Under (O/U)
I LEAN, not like, the OVER 225.5 (-129) because of the Knicks’ below average defense (ranked 19th in PPG allowed and 26th in defensive rating) going against a Pelicans teams that has scored 110-plus points in its last seven games. But it’s only a lean because the Knicks’ injuries (monitor the injury report) could affect their scoring and the Under is 7-2 in the last nine head-to-head games.
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