Pelicans vs Knicks Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Karl-Anthony Towns' numbers have been excellent this year and he'll have a massive advantage against an undersized Pelicans frontcourt. We expect him to take advantage.

Zak Hanshew - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Zak Hanshew • Betting Analyst
Dec 1, 2024 • 11:35 ET • 4 min read
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This article contains predictions for an old game!

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The Pelicans have been bitten hard by the injury bug, and the team has lost seven straight. The path to a win doesn’t get any easier as the Pels head to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks.

My Pelicans vs. Knicks predictions expect Karl-Anthony Towns to do damage against the depleted Pelicans. Read my NBA picks to see why you should bet the Over on Towns’ combo prop at home tonight.

Pelicans vs Knicks prediction

My best bet
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 41.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110 at bet365)

My analysis
The New Orleans Pelicans will be sorely shorthanded once again, and Karl-Anthony Towns can take advantage of the mismatch.

He’s still the lone big man in New York’s frontcourt, and he’s averaging a healthy 25.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on the year. That’s good for 41.8 PRA, so an average night cashes this prop.

New Orleans will be missing one of its best rebounders in Brandon Ingram, top defender Herb Jones, and big man Zion Williamson, among others. The team will run Yves Missi and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl in the frontcourt, and the 7-foot, 249-pound KAT can capitalize on that size mismatch.

Towns has cashed the Over in eight of 18 games this season, including two of his last three. He’s been slightly better at home, with 42.5 PRA compared to 41.5 on the road. He's cashed this prop in three of six games played at Madison Square Garden.

The Pelicans have allowed the ninth-most points, ninth-most rebounds, and second-most paint points this season, making this a highly favorable matchup for New York’s star big man.

Pelicans vs Knicks same-game parlay

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 41.5 points + rebounds + assists

Under 224

Dejounte Murray Over 10.5 rebounds + assists

New Orleans has struggled to get much going on offense this season, averaging just 103.8 points per game. That’s the fewest in the Association and worse than the Trail Blazers, Wizards, and Hornets.

The Pels have been even worse on the road, and they’re the only team to average fewer than 100 points per game. New York has played solid defense this season, and I’m not expecting the Pels to solve their offensive woes. The Pelicans have hit the Over just once in their last 10, and the Pels are 2-5 to the Under as road dogs this season. 

Dejounte Murray posted 18 rebounds + assists in the season opener, six in his return, and 12 last time out. I expect him to play a full allotment of minutes tonight, and this should be an easy Over for a player who ranks second in assists and third in rebounds on his team. Murray hit the Over in 97 of 152 games in two years with the Hawks, and he’s done it in two of three with the Pels.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Pelicans vs Knicks odds

Pelicans vs Knicks live odds

Pelicans vs Knicks opening odds

  • Spread: New Orleans +12 | New York -12
  • Moneyline: New Orleans +500 | New York -700
  • Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5

Odds courtesy of bet365.

Pelicans vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis

  • New Orleans is 1-9 straight up and 5-5 ATS across its last 10, bringing the team’s record to 4-16 SU and 7-13 ATS.

  • New York has won six of its last eight to improve to 11-8 SU but covered in just three of those to fall to 8-10-1 ATS.

  • The Pelicans have hit the Under in four straight, and the team is 8-11-1 O/U this season.

  • The Knicks have hit the Over in five of the last eight, and the team is 11-8 to the Over on the year.

Pelicans vs Knicks trend

The Pelicans won and covered in both matchups last season and are 4-1 SU across their last five meetings with the Knicks. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Knicks.

How to watch Pelicans vs Knicks

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date: Sunday, 12-1-2024
Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. ET
TV: GCSEN, MSG

Pelicans vs Knicks latest injuries

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Zak Hanshew - Covers
Betting Analyst

Zak Hanshew has been covering fantasy sports and sports betting since 2018. In addition to Covers, he has also written for Rotoworld and has spent time at FantasyPros, RotoWire, OwnersBox and Sportsbook Review. In his spare time, he can be found spending time with his wife and four kids, playing his guitar, watching Simpsons re-runs, or getting some shots up on the court.

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