Nuggets vs. Knicks Pick
Will the New York Knicks get past their recent issues away from the court when they face the Denver Nuggets tonight at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Knicks are a slight favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Nuggets. The over/under total for the game is listed at 227.5 points. Denver has won and covered the spread in four straight meetings with the Knicks, including a 127-114 win in Denver back on Dec. 17.
The Knicks have lost three straight, including a 119-115 loss at home to the Clippers in which they had the incident with Charles Oakley. New York is now 22-32 on the season and 29-25 against the spread. New York is now averaging 106 points per game on offense while allowing 109 on defense. Over their last five games, the Knicks are giving up 111.6 points per game. Carmelo Anthony has been the discussion of many trade rumors, but is still leading the team with 23 points per game. Kristaps Porzingis is adding 18.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. Joakim Noah, the team’s leading rebounder, is likely out tonight due to a hamstring injury. He has missed the last two games.
The Nuggets have alternated wins and losses over their last five games and are coming off a 117-106 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. Denver is now 23-29 overall and 27-25 against the spread. The Nuggets put up 110.1 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 111.4 per game. Denver has a number of injuries coming into tonight. Danilo Gallinari, the team’s leading scorer, is out with a groin injury. Emmanuel Mudiay is also out with a back injury while Kenneth Faried is out with an ankle injury.
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The Nuggets just are depleted with three of their regular contributors out. While the Knicks aren’t playing well, they should be able to shake off the distractions to beat this team, which is poor on defense. The Nuggets tend to rely on outscoring opponents, but with the injuries, their offense should take a step back.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW YORK KNICKS -2.5