New York @ New Orleans picks

Quentin Grimes has tallied 2.5 personal fouls per game this year, making him one of the most most-whistled players in the NBA (83rd percentile). The New York Knicks check in as the 10th-least efficient shooting team in the NBA this year. The matchup against New Orleans is a challenging one for field goals; when the Pelicans are playing at home, opposing starting SGs have averaged the 14th-least buckets per game in the NBA this year (5.3). The New York Knicks have played at the 4th-most sluggish pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 25 games while playing away from home. The Pelicans have played at the 5th-most sluggish pace-of-play in the league over the last 5 games, which should decrease possessions for the Knicks.

The New York Knicks check in as the 10th-least efficient shooting team in the NBA this year. The New York Knicks have played at the 4th-most sluggish pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 25 games while playing away from home. The Pelicans have played at the 5th-most sluggish pace-of-play in the league over the last 5 games, which should decrease possessions for the Knicks. The Pelicans have given up the 10th-most offensive rebounds per game (11.8) in the league to the other team over the last 5 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore provide additional opportunities for scoring and assists). Obi Toppin has attempted a mere 0.7 foul shots per game this season, quite a bit less than his 1.7 mark last season.

Josh Hart has sunk 70.1% of his field goals over the last 5 games, 16.4% higher than he's converted in all games this season. Josh Hart has made 60.0% of his treys over the last 10 games, 19.9% more than he's converted from 3-point range over the course of the season. Josh Hart has tallied 31.9 minutes per game this year, seeing the court more than most players in the NBA: 86th percentile. The matchup against the Pelicans is a hard one for 3-pointers; their opposition have shot for the lowest three percentage in the NBA this year (33.7%). The New York Knicks rank as the 2nd-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA while on the road this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore create new chances for scoring and assists).