The New Orleans Pelicans (4-16) travel to face off against the New York Knicks (11-8) on Sunday, December 1st. This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York and televised on MSG. The Knicks are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Pelicans are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Pelicans. Tip-off is set for 6:00 ET.

Pelicans vs Knicks

The Pelicans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pelicans dropped to 4-16 on the season after a 120-109 road loss to the Grizzlies on Friday. New Orleans entered the game as +12 point underdogs and managed to cover the spread, losing by 11. The combined score of 229 points narrowly missed the O/U line of 232.

Memphis took control early, outscoring New Orleans 35-28 in the 2nd quarter. The Pelicans made a push in the 3rd, winning the quarter 26-25, but couldn’t close the gap in the 4th, where they were outscored 28-27.

The Knicks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Knicks improved to 11-8 on the season with a 99-98 win over the Hornets on Friday. Despite being favored by 12.5 points, New York didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total of 197 points fell well short of the 220-point line.

After trailing 23-15 after the 1st quarter, the Knicks went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 45-38 to 55-38. They edged Charlotte 28-26 in the 4th quarter to secure the win.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

In their 120-109 loss to the Grizzlies, the Pelicans shot 41.8% from the field and connected on just 9 threes, hitting 31% from beyond the arc. CJ McCollum led the way with 30 points, shooting 57.9% overall and 42.9% from three, making 3 triples.

Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy each added 21 points, though both struggled from the field, with Murray shooting 35.3% and Murphy 34.8%. McCollum scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Murphy added 8 in the final period.

Knicks Offense Breakdown

Jalen Brunson’s 31 points and 6 assists led the Knicks to a 99-98 win over the Hornets, as he hit 4 threes at a 66.7% rate. Brunson was clutch in the 4th quarter, scoring 11 points. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Miles McBride added 14 points, shooting 55.6% from the field.

The Knicks shot 44.4% from the field and made 12 threes, hitting 37.5% from beyond the arc. Brunson’s 4th quarter performance was key, and McBride and Josh Hart each added 5 points in the final period.

Pelicans Team Defense

Defensively, the Pelicans struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 32 and 35 points, respectively, in their 120-109 loss to the Grizzlies. They tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Overall, New Orleans allowed Memphis to shoot 49% from the field.

The Pelicans did a solid job defending the three, holding the Grizzlies to 29% shooting with just 12 made threes. Memphis went 14/17 from the free-throw line. New Orleans finished with 9 steals and 7 blocks but gave up 14 offensive rebounds.

Knicks Team Defense

Even with a strong defensive effort in the 3rd quarter, the Pelicans couldn’t contain the Grizzlies, giving up 120 points on 49% shooting. New Orleans allowed 32 points in the 1st and 35 in the 2nd, but they tightened up in the 3rd, holding Memphis to 25 points.

From beyond the arc, the Pelicans limited the Grizzlies to 12 threes on 29% shooting. Memphis also went 14/17 from the free-throw line. New Orleans finished with 32 defensive rebounds, gave up 14 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals and 7 blocks.

Pelicans vs Knicks Trends

• In their last three road games, New Orleans has averaged 106 points per game while allowing 120. The team’s record in this stretch was 0-3 while going 2-1.
• Across the Knicks last ten home games, the team averaged 117 points per game while allowing 114. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 4-6, while going 5-5 straight-up.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 1-9 and an ATS mark of 5-5.
• Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Knicks have an overall record of 3-2 while going 2-3 against the spread.

Pelicans vs Knicks Prediction

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Knicks to secure the win, with an expected final score of 123-95. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -12.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 226, and our model projects the Pelicans and Knicks to reach a combined total of 218 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.