The New York Knicks continue their road trip with a visit to Smoothie King Center and a matchup with the last-place New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels will look to snap a five-game skid by showing signs of life at home against a visiting team that’s won two straight and seven of 10.
My Knicks vs. Pelicans predictions expect Karl-Anthony Towns to continue crashing the glass at an elite rate. Read my NBA picks to see why you should take the Over on Towns’ alternate rebounds line.
Knicks vs Pelicans prediction
My best bet
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 14.5 rebounds (XXX at bet365)
My analysis
Karl-Anthony Towns has thrived with the New York Knicks, averaging an NBA-best 14.2 rebounds per game this season. His rebounds line is set at 13.5 for -150 odds, but we can get far more profitable odds of -105 by taking just one more rebound.
Towns has hit the Over on this line in better than half of his appearances, reaching that mark in 13 of 25 games this season. He’s been white hot as of late, grabbing at least 15 rebounds in seven straight. That includes back-to-back games with at least 20 rebounds on the road.
Towns pulled down 19 rebounds in his first matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans this season, and I fully expect him to corral at least 15 tonight. At 7’0, 248 pounds, Towns has a one-inch, 20-pound size advantage over Pelicans’ starting center Yves Missi.
The Pels have lackluster frontcourt depth behind Missi with undersized bigs Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis, and Towns should be able to have his way in this matchup.
New Orleans has allowed the sixth-most rebounds to opponents this season, and over the last 10, no team has allowed more rebounds than the Pelicans.
Knicks vs Pelicans same-game parlay
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 14.5 rebounds (alt)
Over 225.5
Knicks ML
New Orleans has scored the fewest points in the Association this season at just 105.4 per tilt. Over the last 10, the Pels have upped their scoring modestly to 107.6, showing small signs of improvement.
The Pelicans have averaged just 101.3 points per game on the road compared to 110.1 at home. Over their last three at Smoothie King Center, the Pels have averaged 114.7.
The Knicks have posted 116.4 points per game on the road, and based on those recent averages, these two teams should have no problem hitting the Over on this modest point total.
New Orleans is still missing Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, but the rotation has gotten a little healthier with Dejounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, Trey Murphy III, and CJ McCollum available as scoring options to boost the offense.
New York is just 13-13-1 ATS this season. The Knicks are a far better team, but they’re playing a third straight road game, and the Pels have been far better at home than on the road.
New York is just 5-7 ATS as the road favorite but 7-5 straight up in that situation. New York’s roster is almost completely healthy, and the team boasts one of the most talented lineups in the Association.
I’m confident in the Knicks to secure the victory against a depleted Pelicans team, but I wouldn’t be surprised if New Orleans kept it close at home, especially after suffering a blowout loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 1. The ML is the better bet than the point spread here.
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Knicks vs Pelicans odds
Knicks vs Pelicans live odds
Knicks vs Pelicans opening odds
- Spread: New York -8 (-110) | New Orleans +8 (-110)
- Moneyline: New York (-320) | New Orleans (+260)
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Knicks vs Pelicans spread and Over/Under analysis
- New York has won and covered in two straight, and the team is 17-10 straight up and 13-13-1 ATS.
- New Orleans has won only once across its last 10 and covered in four of those, bringing the team’s record to 5-23 straight up and 10-18 ATS.
- The Pelicans are 5-2 to the Over across their last seven and 13-14-1 to the Under.
Knicks vs Pelicans trend
The Pelicans have the second-worst record (5-23) and second-worst point differential (-11.7) in the Association this season, behind only the lowly Washington Wizards. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Knicks vs Pelicans
| Location: | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
| Date: | Saturday, 12-21-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | GCSEN, MSG |
Knicks vs Pelicans latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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