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The New Orleans Pelicans (5-23) welcome the New York Knicks (17-10) to Smoothie King Center Saturday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Knicks vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Knicks lead 1-0
New Orleans lost 133-113 as a 9.5-point underdog at the Houston Rockets Thursday. G Trey Murphy III had a team-high 28 points for the Pelicans, who have lost 5 straight games. New Orleans is 3-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 6 games and 10-18 ATS on the season.
The Knicks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-107 Thursday, closing as 3.5-point road underdogs. F Karl-Anthony Towns beat up on his old team, tallying a game-high 32 points. New York has won 2 straight games and 3 of its last 5, going 2-3 ATS. It is 13-13-1 ATS on the season.
Knicks at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Knicks -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Pelicans +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
- Against the spread: Knicks -7.5 (-115) | Pelicans +7.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Knicks at Pelicans key injuries
Knicks
- C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) out
- F Brandon Ingram (ankle) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Knicks at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 118, Pelicans 109
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s no good reason to think the Pelicans, down their top 2 scoring options, can pull the upset, even though they’re at home.
At the same time, New York (-350) is too lofty of a favorite to consider. Avoid this play.
Against the spread
BET KNICKS -7.5 (-115).
The Knicks have covered at a high rate as of late, going 6-2 straight up and 5-3 ATS in their last 8 games. New York has put up at least 113 points in 5 of the 8 games, so it has scored efficiently over the last few weeks.
The Pelicans will have to replace about 45 points per game with Williamson and Ingram sidelined. They are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog of 7 or more points and have lost 2 in a row by at least 15.
Considering those trends, back KNICKS -7.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET OVER 224.5 (-115).
The Pelicans have gone Over in 5 of their last 7 games, and their defense has been the problem, allowing at least 119 in 6 of the 7. They have found some rhythm with a few key stars returning and scored 109 or more points in 6 of the 7 as well.
The Knicks, who are 15-12 O/U on the season and 4-3 O/U in their last 7 games, have tallied at least 113 points in 5 of their last 8. New York has 6 players averaging double figures, so it has ample scoring and should be able to help the Over hit.
Back OVER 224.5 (-115).
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