The Charlotte Hornets (12-13), 5.5-point favorites, will travel to Madison Square Garden to meet the New York Knicks (8-19). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225 points and it will air on Fox Sports Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks Betting Odds
In the Hornets’ last game, they covered the 1.5-point spread against the Denver Nuggets, 113-107. The Knicks, on the other hand, were beaten by the Brooklyn Nets, 112-104, and were unable to cover as 13-point underdogs. The Charlotte game went 2.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5, while the New York game finished 2.5 points under the projected point total of 218.5.
The Hornets made 34 of their 38 free throws (89.5 percent) and held the Nuggets to an effective field goal percentage of 0.426 (below their season average of 0.526). New York, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.217 (above their season average of 0.211). New York rallied around Enes Kanter, who finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Kemba Walker, meanwhile fueled Charlotte with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their four games last season. In the last game, the Hornets won 137-128. Charlotte was successful at getting and making free throws. The Hornets made 24 of their 28 free throws (85.7 percent), while the Knicks were 11-11 (100.0 percent). This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Hornets games, with 13 overs compared to 12 unders. Charlotte heads into the contest with records of 12-13 straight up (SU) and 15-10 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Charlotte, Knicks games have gone over the O/U total 53.8 percent of the time. Further, New York is 8-19 SU and 14-11-1 ATS.
The offensive glass should be a solid edge for New York in this meeting. The Knicks rank ninth in offensive rebounding percentage (25.8 percent), while Charlotte ranks 20th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.8 percent). Additionally, the Hornets’ fifth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 110.0) will try to take advantage of the Knicks’ 27th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 111.5).
Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets rank 19 in fast break points per game (11.6) while the Knicks rank 26 (10.148148148148149).
- Charlotte ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while New York ranks 19th (17.8).
- The Knicks average 15.4 second chance points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Hornets rank 18th in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
- Charlotte averages 47.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. New York ranks 28th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.2).
- New York averages 45.74074074074074 rebounds per game, which ranks 13 in the league. Charlotte ranks 24 in rebounds allowed per game (46.52).
- The Hornets rank 13th in assists per game (24.2) while the Knicks rank last (19.3).
- The Hornets average 33.8 three pointers per game, which ranks 7 in the NBA. The Knicks rank 18 in three pointers allowed per game (31.814814814814813).
- Charlotte ranks 5 in steals allowed per game (6.88) while New York ranks 9 (7.296296296296297).
- Charlotte averages 5.4 blocks per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. New York ranks 28th in blocks allowed per game (6.7).
- New York is 2-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Charlotte is 3-0.
- The Hornets are 12-12 when they score more than 100 points, while the Knicks are 8-15.
- Charlotte is 6-5 ATS on the road, while New York is 6-4-1 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 6 of the Knicks’ 11 home games, while 6 of the Hornets’ 11 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Charlotte and New York are both 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 109.0 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.0 points per game (1.0 above their season average).
- The Knicks\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.6, up from 6.4 for the season.
