The Golden State Warriors (46-14), the NBA’s top scoring team, will challenge the New York Knicks (24-37) at Madison Square Garden. Golden State opened as a 12-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 230 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26, 2018, and it can be seen on NBATV.
Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks Free Preview
The Warriors had no trouble getting past the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last contest, 112-80. With 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Stephen Curry had a good outing for Golden State. Golden State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.567 (below their season average of 0.581) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.3 (above their season average of 21.7). Oklahoma City was 0.381 and 25.0, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Knicks’ last matchup, they were blown out by the Boston Celtics, 121-112. Trey Burke was New York’s high scorer with 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Boston did an excellent job of making free throws (24-28; 85.7 percent). New York, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.7 vs. 23.4).
The offensive glass should be a huge advantage for New York in this contest. The Knicks are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking fifth in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.6 percent. Meanwhile, Golden State ranks 24th in the league at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.2 percent. Additionally, the Warriors rank third in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.497), while the Knicks rank 24th in effective field goal percentage (0.508).
Of Golden State’s 60 games, 32 have finished over the projected point total, while 31 of New York’s 61 games have finished over the projected point total. The Warriors have the sizable advantage straight up (SU) (46-14 vs. 24-37), but the Knicks have the better against the spread (ATS) record (29-32 vs. 26-32-2).
Enes Kanter has been on fire over the last five games for New York, averaging 17.8 points and 13.2 rebounds per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 235 points, which was over the projected point total of 226.5. The Warriors won 123-112, but were unable to cover as 17-point favorites. The Warriors played a nearly flawless game. They had an absurd effective field goal percentage of 0.633 and a turnover percentage of 11.6. For those same stats, the Knicks recorded marks of 0.572 and 12.5, respectively. Curry was the game’s top overall scorer with 32 points.
Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks Free Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Warriors, ATS Winner – Warriors, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Knicks rank seventh in points allowed in the paint per game (42.5) while the Warriors rank 26th (47.4).
- Golden State ranks ninth in points off turnovers per game (17.2) while New York ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.8).
- Golden State ranks 10th in steals per game (8.1) while New York ranks 27th (6.8).
- Golden State is 13-16 ATS on the road, while New York is 16-13 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 15 of the Knicks’ 29 home games, while 16 of the Warriors’ 29 road games have gone over.
- New York is 11-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Golden State is 13-2.
- When reaching the century mark, the Warriors are 43-10 and the Knicks are 23-19.
- The Warriors average 30.6 assists per game, which ranks first in the league. The Knicks rank 18th in assists allowed per game (23.4).
- Golden State ranks first in fast break points per game (20.7) while New York ranks 29th (7.5).
- The Knicks average 13.8 second chance points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Warriors rank last in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
- The Warriors rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.6) while the Knicks rank 14th (4.8).
- Golden State ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (29.9) while New York ranks last (22.2).
Bettings Trends:
- New York is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Golden State is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 2.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 122.8 points per game (6.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (4.0 below their season average).