New Orleans Pelicans (34-24) vs. New York Knicks (35-23)
February 27, 2024 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: New York Knicks +2.5; Over/Under: +220.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Knicks play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Here’s a Knicks vs Pelicans Prediction.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans look to have cooled off from their four-game win streak as they are now hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting stopped by the Bulls in a 114-106 loss on Sunday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 22 points and six assists, Zion Williamson added 19 points with eight rebounds and 11 assists, Herbert Jones tallied 15 points with six assists while Jonas Valanciunas chipped in with 14 points and 17 rebounds. As a team, the Pelicans shot 45 percent from the field and 16 of 41 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 39 points in the second quarter to take the lead into halftime, only to see their hard work go to waste in the fourth quarter where they leaked 33 points.
New York Knicks
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are starting to turn things around as they’ve won two of their last three games and they will be hoping to keep it going after sneaking past the lowly Pistons in a 113-111 win last night. Jalen Brunson led the team with 35 points and 12 assists, Josh Hart added 23 points with eight rebounds and six assists while Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 21 points. As a team, the Knicks shot 44 percent from the field and 15 of 39 from the 3-point line as they squandered a 13-point lead and found themselves trailing with just 37 seconds left on the clock before they escaped with the narrow win thanks to Hart who made the go-ahead basket with just 2.1 seconds remaining. The Knicks will meet the Warriors and Cavs after this one.
New York Knicks Team Facts
- The Knicks have lost each of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games at Madison Square Garden.
- Seven of the Knicks’ last eight games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 14 road games against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six road games on the first leg of a back-to-back after losing as favorites.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last four games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Knicks vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are keeping an eye on CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson who are both questionable, while the Knicks are still missing OG Anunoby and Julius Randle. The Pelicans have already beaten the Knicks by 96-87 back at the start of the season and I’m expecting a similar result here. Yes, the Knicks have slowly turned things around, but they are playing on zero days’ rest after an unconvincing win over the lowly Pistons last night, but the Pelicans are still the favorites in this one if Ingram can have a big game.
