The New York Knicks (47-33) battle the New Orleans Pelicans (41-39) Friday. Tip from Smoothie King Center is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Knicks vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
New York picked up its 5th straight win with a 138-129 victory over the Indiana Pacers as a 5-point favorite Wednesday. The Knicks are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 games and 44-33-3 ATS on the season.
The Pelicans beat the Memphis Grizzlies 138-131 in overtime Wednesday, covering as a 6.5-point home favorite. They are 5-2 straight up and ATS over their last 7 games, improving to 39-41 ATS this season.
The Knicks beat the Pelicans 128-106 as 4-point favorites as the Over (223) cashed on Feb. 25.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Knicks at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Knicks +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Pelicans -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +8.5 (-115) | Pelicans -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Knicks at Pelicans key injuries
Knicks
- F RJ Barrett (illness) questionable
- G Jalen Brunson (hand) out
- F Julius Randle (ankle) out
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (tibia) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Knicks at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 117, Knicks 114
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Knicks have been playing well lately, but the Pelicans are in a situation in which winning is far more of a priority and should have that motivation. New York is locked into the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans are in a log jam in the Western Conference and need to win to give themselves their base chance at avoiding the Play-In Tournament or potentially earning home-court advantage in the Play-In Tournament.
However, New Orleans (-350) isn’t worth risking 3 1/2 times your potential return on.
Against the spread
LEAN KNICKS +8.5 (-115).
The Knicks are 4-2 ATS over their last 6 road games and 7-4 ATS over their last 11 games. They have won 5 straight games straight up and took down the Pacers without their top-3 scoring options Wednesday. Backups, like G Immanuel Quickley, have been able to pick up the scoring load.
The Pelicans are 3-2 ATS over their last 5 and really had no business covering in overtime against the Grizzlies in their last game. New Orleans is just 3-2 straight up over its last 5 as well.
Ultimately, the Knicks’ backups have played well enough to trust them here. Play KNICKS +8.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET OVER 223.5 (-110).
The Pelicans put up 138 on the Grizzlies and have scored 120 or more in 2 of their last 3 games, hitting the Over in both. They are 3-4 O/U in their last 7.
The Knicks are 3-0 O/U in their last 3 contests, 43-36-1 O/U on the year and 7-3 O/U in their last 10 games. They have scored 118 or more points in 3 straight and have a group that can score efficiently even with the big names sitting out.
New York ranks 3rd in offensive rating since the All-Star break and should have no trouble scoring on New Orleans. Back the OVER 223.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]