Washington Wizards vs New York Knicks NBA Preview and Prediction 2/24/23

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

On Friday night, the New York Knicks will play their first game after the All-Star break by visiting the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena. These teams have already played against each other twice this season, and currently have a tied record of 1-1. During their last match in Washington, the Knicks secured a 112-108 victory. Jalen Brunson was the game's top scorer with 34 points, and he made a crucial contribution by sinking a couple of free throws with 13.9 seconds remaining. Meanwhile, Julius Randle, who scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, delivered the game's most exciting moment with his left-handed dunk over Daniel Gafford in the third quarter. 

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have had a solid season thus far, with a 33-27 overall record and a road record of 17-12. While their record places them in the middle of the pack in the NBA, they have a respectable standing within their division, ranking fourth in the Atlantic.

The Knicks have fared well against their Eastern Conference opponents, with a record of 23-16. However, they have struggled to rack up assists and currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with an average of 22.5 assists per game.

In their last game, Julius Randle and Brunson combined for 53 points to lead the Knicks to an easy 122-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, marking their third consecutive win before the All-Star break. With this victory, New York now boasts a record of 33-27, six games above .500, and the team is feeling confident about its chances for the rest of the regular season.

Julius Randle is leading the charge on the offensive end for the New York Knicks, averaging an impressive 24.7 points per game on 46% shooting from the floor. However, the team has struggled with their three-point shooting, only connecting on 34.6% of their attempts from deep, which ranks 23rd in the league. The team has also struggled with their free-throw shooting, making only 77% of their attempts, which ranks 23rd in the league as well.

On the defensive end, the Knicks have been holding their opponents to an average of 112.5 points per game and a shooting percentage of 45.6%, which is the 12th best in the league in terms of points surrendered per game and the third best in terms of shooting percentage allowed. The team ranks 18th in adjusted defensive rating. The Knicks have shown they're strong in contesting shots both inside and outside the paint, with their opponents shooting only 34.9% from deep, the sixth lowest three-point shooting percentage allowed. The team has also been grabbing rebounds at a high rate, averaging 46.8 per game, which is the third-highest in the NBA.

Over their past 10 games, the Knicks have achieved a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, maintaining a strong offensive performance by averaging 116.2 points per game. They have also demonstrated impressive defensive capabilities, with 45.2 rebounds, 21.8 assists, 4.8 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game. Additionally, their shooting accuracy has been noteworthy, with a field goal percentage of 48.0%. Although their opponents have managed to score an average of 113.0 points per game, the Knicks' recent performances have showcased their ability to compete at a high level and achieve favorable outcomes.

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have had a relatively decent season so far, having won 15 games against Eastern Conference opponents. They have proven to be a tough team to beat in close games, as evidenced by their 5-5 record in games decided by less than four points. Monte Morris has been a consistent performer for the Wizards, averaging 10.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. On the other hand, Kristaps Porzingis has been a standout player in their recent games, averaging 19.3 points per game.

Fortunately for the Wizards, they have not reported any major injuries on their roster, and they have been performing quite well in their last 10 games, winning six out of ten while scoring an average of 118.1 points per game. In addition to their impressive offensive output, they have also been strong on the defensive end, averaging 43.3 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 7.1 steals, and 5.7 blocks per game. With a field goal percentage of 51.6%, their shooting accuracy has been impressive.

However, the Wizards' opponents have also been able to score an average of 113.1 points per game, indicating that there is room for improvement on the defensive end. If they can address this issue and maintain their current form, the Wizards have the potential to make a strong run in the Eastern Conference.

As the season continues, it will be interesting to see if the Wizards can maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the playoffs. With players like Porzingis and Kuzma leading the charge, there's no doubt that this team has what it takes to compete at a high level in the league.

BETTING TRENDS

New York are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.

New York are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.

New York are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games against Washington.

New York are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games on the road.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington.

Washington are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games.

Washington are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington's last 17 games against New York.

Prediction

Although both teams have had relatively decent seasons, the Knicks have the advantage of winning their previous match against the Wizards, and their team has been performing well with a 33-27 overall record. Additionally, the Knicks have a better record against Eastern Conference opponents and have won more games on the road compared to the Wizards. The Knicks' players, particularly Julius Randle, have been performing consistently well in their recent games, while the team's defense has been holding opponents to a lower shooting percentage, which could pose a challenge for the Wizards' offense.

The betting trends also favor the Knicks, as they have won five out of their last six games and have a good record in their recent games against the Wizards. On the other hand, the Wizards have struggled to maintain a consistent defense and have allowed their opponents to score an average of 113.1 points per game, which could be exploited by the Knicks' offense. While the Wizards have a good record in their recent games, their previous losses against the Knicks and their weaker defense could put them at a disadvantage in this upcoming game.

PICK: Knicks +2.5 (-110)

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