Pelicans vs Knicks Prediction NBA Experts Picks Today 4/7

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Apr 7, 2023, 6:31:25 PM

Game Preview: Knicks vs Pelicans - NBA Picks, Expert Predictions and Odds

It's a battle between two playoff teams as the New York Knicks (47-33) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (41-39) on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 8 p.m. EDT in New Orleans. The Knicks are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans sit in the eighth spot in the Western Conference. New York is riding a five-game win streak and will look to keep that momentum going into this matchup. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have won eight of their last 10 games and will aim to defend their home court, where they have gone 26-14 this season. Both teams have key players who could shape the outcome of this game. CJ McCollum leads the way for the Pelicans, averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists, while Mitchell Robinson is shooting 68.1% and averaging 7.3 points for the Knicks. According to NBA picks experts and computer predictions, this matchup is expected to be close, with the spread hovering around +/- 2.5 points. However, the Knicks have been playing well lately and have the advantage of a stronger road record, so they may pull off their sixth straight victory. Overall, this game has the potential to be a high-scoring, entertaining matchup between two talented teams fighting for playoff positioning. Stay tuned for expert NBA picks and predictions as the Knicks and Pelicans square off in this exciting game.

Knicks: Offensive Analysis

The New York Knicks are on a five-game winning streak heading into their matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. In their last 10 games, the Knicks have been averaging 122.3 points per game, shooting 51.6% from the field and averaging 27.3 assists per game. They are ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring 51.9 points per game in the paint. However, the Knicks have struggled with turnovers, averaging 13.0 turnovers per game, which is the fourth-lowest in the NBA. They also rank 28th in the league in assists per game with 22.9, which could prove to be a problem against a Pelicans team that averages 26.0 assists per game. The Knicks will be without their leading scorer Julius Randle, which means they will need to rely on Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson to step up their game. Brunson is averaging 10.4 points per game in the paint, while Robinson is shooting 68.1% from the field and averaging 7.3 points per game. On the other hand, the Pelicans have been on a hot streak, winning eight of their last 10 games. They are averaging 118.5 points per game, shooting 49.8% from the field, and averaging 28.0 assists per game during this stretch. They are ranked ninth in the league in scoring 53.2 points per game in the paint. The Knicks will need to work on their defensive game if they hope to stop the Pelicans' offense. New Orleans is averaging 114.5 points per game, shooting 48.0% from the field and making an average of 11.1 3-pointers per game. In conclusion, the Knicks offense has been hot, but turnovers and lack of ball movement may be their downfall against a Pelicans team that can score from anywhere on the court. The Knicks will need to play solid defense to have a chance at securing their sixth straight victory.

Knicks: Defensive Analysis

As the New York Knicks look to extend their five-game winning streak, their defense will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their success against the New Orleans Pelicans. With key players such as Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson out, New York's defense will need to step up and hold the Pelicans to a low-scoring game. One area where the Knicks excel defensively is in their ability to limit their opponents' points in the paint. Led by Jalen Brunson's average of 10.4 points per game, New York ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring in the paint, while holding their opponents to only 45.7 points per game in the paint, the best in the conference. New York's defensive efforts will also be tested in their ability to force turnovers. The Pelicans average 14.0 turnovers per game and are 19-15 when they win the turnover battle. However, the Knicks have a solid turnover margin, averaging 13.0 turnovers per game while forcing their opponents to turn it over 12.7 times per game. Additionally, the Knicks' defense has been strong in rebounding, ranking fourth in the league with an average of 55.4 rebounds per game. They are especially good at limiting their opponents' offensive rebounds, allowing only 10.2 per game. However, the Knicks have struggled defensively in other areas, such as allowing their opponents to shoot a high percentage from beyond the arc. The Pelicans may look to take advantage of this weakness, as they rank 12th in the league in three-pointers made per game. In conclusion, the Knicks' defense will need to continue to dominate in the paint and force turnovers if they hope to extend their winning streak against the Pelicans. While they have some areas for improvement, their strong performance in certain defensive categories should give them an advantage in Friday's game.

Pelicans: Offense Analysis

The New Orleans Pelicans have been on a tear lately, winning eight of their last ten games and averaging 118.5 points per game in that span. Led by CJ McCollum and his 20.8 points and 5.8 assists per game, the Pelicans' offense has been clicking on all cylinders. Their ability to score in the paint has been impressive, averaging 53.2 points per game, thanks in part to the play of Trey Murphy III, who has made 4.0 three-pointers over his last ten games. However, they have struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 36.6% from three-point range, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Pelicans will need to take care of the ball, as they average 14.0 turnovers per game, which could be costly against a New York Knicks team that is known for its defense. However, if they can limit turnovers and continue to score in the paint, the Pelicans could put up some big numbers against the Knicks. According to NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks, the Pelicans are favored to win this matchup against the Knicks. With their high-powered offense and strong play at home, it's not hard to see why. Expect the Pelicans to come out firing and put up some big numbers in this game.

Pelicans: Defensive Analysis

The Pelicans have a tough matchup against the Knicks, who are on a five-game winning streak. In order to secure a win, the Pelicans need to focus on their defense. The Pelicans are averaging 112.6 points allowed per game, which is eighth in the league. Opponents are shooting 54.3% effective field goal percentage against them, which is middle of the pack. The Pelicans also struggle defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot 33.9% from deep. To improve their defense, the Pelicans need to focus on limiting second-chance opportunities. They allow opponents to grab 9.7 offensive rebounds per game, which is eighth in the league. The Pelicans also need to improve their shot-blocking, which currently ranks 24th in the league. The Pelicans have a strong steal game, ranking second in the league with 8.3 steals per game. They also rank seventh in turnover ratio, which should help them limit the Knicks' offensive opportunities. However, they should also focus on limiting fouls, as they rank 20th in the league in personal fouls per game. Overall, the Pelicans have a tough defensive challenge ahead of them. They need to focus on limiting second-chance opportunities and improving their perimeter defense to have a chance at stopping the red-hot Knicks.

Injury Report

The Knicks will be without the services of Julius Randle (ankle), Jalen Brunson (rest), DaQuan Jeffries (calf), Duane Washington Jr. (hip), and RJ Barrett (illness). Meanwhile, the Pelicans will be without E.J. Liddell (knee), Zion Williamson (hamstring), and Jose Alvarado (tibia). These injuries could have a significant impact on the game, especially for the Knicks who will be missing multiple key players. Without Randle and Brunson, the Knicks will need other players to step up and contribute more on both ends of the floor. For the Pelicans, the absence of Williamson is a major blow to their offense. However, they have been playing well recently and will look to continue their winning ways even without him. Overall, the injury report favors the Pelicans, who have fewer key players out and have been playing better basketball as of late. As always, bettors should keep a close eye on any last-minute injury updates before making their NBA picks and predictions.

Player	Team	Position	Injury Status
Julius Randle	New York Knicks	PF	Out (ankle)
Jalen Brunson	New York Knicks	PG	Out (rest)
DaQuan Jeffries	New York Knicks	SG	Out (calf)
Duane Washington Jr.	New York Knicks	PG	Out (hip)
RJ Barrett	New York Knicks	SG	Out (illness)
E.J. Liddell	New Orleans Pelicans	F	Out (knee)
Zion Williamson	New Orleans Pelicans	PF	Out (hamstring)
Jose Alvarado	New Orleans Pelicans	PG	Out (tibia)

Betting Trends:

New York Knicks have won their last five games and will try to extend their winning streak against New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have gone 8-2 in their last ten games and have been averaging 118.5 points per game. On the other hand, the Knicks have gone 7-3 in their last ten games and are averaging 122.3 points per game. It's important to note that Knicks' star player Julius Randle will be out due to an ankle injury, while Jalen Brunson will also be out for rest. The Pelicans will be missing E.J. Liddell due to a knee injury and Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury. In terms of betting trends, the Pelicans have gone 19-15 when they win the turnover battle and are 26-14 at home. The Knicks, meanwhile, have gone 24-16 away from home and rank fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring with 51.9 points per game in the paint. Expert NBA picks and predictions show the Knicks as the favorites to win this game, but the Pelicans' recent form cannot be ignored. Bettors can consider betting on the Knicks with the spread or taking a parlay with both teams.