New York Knicks vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24

At 8:00 ET, the New York Knicks (-332) will travel to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (+266) in a non-conference matchup. The Knicks are currently favored by 8.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 226.

TV: NBA

NEW YORK KNICKS VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK

The Pick: New York Knicks -8.5

This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.

WHY BET THE NEW YORK KNICKS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 132-113 in favor of the Knicks.
  • Our projections have Jalen Brunson finishing with 29 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Knicks finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.0% and knocking down 16 threes.

Is a Win at New Orleans Possible for the Knicks?

The Knicks improved to 17-10 on the season with a dominant 133-107 road win over the Timberwolves on Thursday. New York, who entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread with ease. The total points for the game reached 240, surpassing the over/under line of 214 by 26 points.

After trailing 33-32 at the end of the 1st quarter, the Knicks took control with an 11-0 run, extending the score from 33-30 to 44-30. They outscored Minnesota 41-18 in the 2nd quarter and went into the 4th with a 104-74 lead. The Timberwolves edged the Knicks 33-29 in the final period, but the game was already out of reach.

The Knicks put up 133 points in their win over the Timberwolves, shooting 51.5% from the field and hitting 20 threes at a 44.4% clip. Karl-Anthony Towns was perfect from deep, making 5 threes and finishing with 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Mikal Bridges added 29 points, hitting 4 threes, while Miles McBride also connected on 4 triples. Towns scored 19 of his points in the 2nd quarter, and Bridges added 11 in the 3rd.

Despite giving up 33 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, the Knicks’ defense tightened up in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing just 18 and 23 points, respectively, in their win over the Timberwolves. New York sent Minnesota to the free-throw line only 13 times, where they converted 8 attempts.

The Knicks allowed Minnesota to hit 17 threes at a 40% clip, but they controlled the boards, giving up just 6 offensive rebounds. Defensively, New York also recorded 10 steals and 2 blocks.

Will the Pelicans Win at Home?

The Pelicans dropped to 5-23 on the season following a 133-113 road loss to the Rockets on Thursday. New Orleans entered the game as +9.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 246 points exceeded the over/under line of 218.5 by 27.5 points.

Houston took control early with a 13-0 run, extending the score from 7-5 to 18-7. The Pelicans couldn’t recover, as they were outscored 39-25 in the 1st quarter. Although the 2nd and 4th quarters were even, New Orleans couldn’t make up ground after trailing 99-79 heading into the final period.

In their 133-113 loss to the Rockets, the Pelicans shot 44.6% from the field, but connected on 46.4% of their threes, hitting 13 from deep. Trey Murphy III led the way with 28 points, making 4 threes at a 66.7% clip, while Herbert Jones also hit 4 threes, finishing with 20 points.

Murphy scored 9 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, while Jones added 13 of his 20 points in the 3rd. CJ McCollum contributed 18 points, with 7 coming in the 3rd quarter.

The Pelicans struggled defensively against the Rockets, giving up 133 points on 57% shooting. Houston scored 39 points in the 1st quarter and added 34 more in the 4th to secure the win. New Orleans allowed 33 points in the 3rd quarter and 27 in the 2nd.

The Rockets hit 17 threes at a 43% clip. The Pelicans sent Houston to the line 19 times, where they made 16 free throws. New Orleans finished with 26 defensive rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 blocks.