New York Knicks (47-33) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (41-39)
April 7, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -7.5; Over/Under: +229.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Knicks invade the Smoothie King Center to battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
The New York Knicks have been in red-hot form as they’ve won eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current five-game win streak after sneaking past the Pacers in a 138-129 road win on Wednesday. Immanuel Quickley led the team with 39 points and nine assists on 14 of 26 shooting, Quentin Grimes added 36 points while Obi Toppin chipped in with 32 points and six assists. As a team, the Knicks shot 52 percent from the field and 18 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 38 points in the first quarter and just never took their foot off the gas, pouring in at least 32 points in every quarter to put up one of their highest point totals of the season.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in great shape as they’ve won eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be eager to build on their 138-131 overtime win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday. Herbert Jones led the team with 35 points, CJ McCollum added 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Trey Murphy drained seven 3-pointers to finish with 30 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 50 percent from the field and 21 of 39 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to rally back from a 19-point deficit in regulation, before they held the Grizzlies to just seven points in overtime to cap off one of their best wins of the season.
Looking at the betting trends, the Knicks are 36-15 ATS in their last 51 road games, 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games against a team with a winning record and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a winning record and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Head to head, the over is 5-1 in the last six meetings overall and the Knicks are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings in New Orleans.
The Knicks have ruled out Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle and they are keeping an eye on RJ Barrett who is questionable. The Pelicans are still without Jose Alvarado and Zion Williamson, but they are coming into this game with decent momentum after taking down the Grizzlies in their last outing. However, the Knicks have clearly been the team in better form and they would’ve started as favorites if they were healthy. As it stands, the Knicks are missing their two best players at least, so I’ll back the Pelicans to take advantage at home.
