NBA Basketball
2010-11-23 - Charlotte Bobcats at New York Knicks
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 23 November 2010 - Tip-Off 7:30pm ET
12:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The New York Knicks (6-8) get a chance to return home to Madison Square Garden after a successful road trip where they won their last 3 games out of 4 played. Now they get a chance to extend their winning run against the Charlotte Bobcats (5-8), another team that has picked up their form in recent games.
The Knicks have now dropped 3 in a row at home and are 1-4 there this season in front of arguably the toughest fans in the NBA to please. However, they will be glad that their recent 6 game losing run has been replaced by the 3 game winning run they are currently enjoying.
It is the Offense that has really impressed people recently, scoring 113 or more points in each of their 4 road games. Amare Stoudemire has been ably backed up by Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton. Look for the Knicks to try and improve their shooting at home- they are just 26% from the 3 point range at MSG compared with 39% on the road.
Both Gallinari and Felton are averaging far fewer points at home than they are on the road and it will be up to Mike D'Antoni to change that here.
Charlotte gained an impressive win over the Phoenix Suns in their last game, coping well with the up tempo style the Suns use in games, a style that is a key point in D'Antoni and New York's locker. The Bobcats will be looking to get more shots off if they want to keep up with the Knicks Offense and are looking to improve their 73 shots a game average, the lowest in the NBA.
Stephen Jackson got the first triple-double in the Bobcats franchise history and will be hoping this can help him improve his form at MSG. Jackson has shot just 36% from the field in 2 games played in New York.
Head to Head
The teams split their season series last year 2-2, both winning their 2 home games.
The Knicks are 5-1 at home in recent meetings with the Bobcats. The meetings are split 3-3 against the spread in those games.
New York are 1-3-1 against the spread at home this season. Charlotte are 4-3 ATS on the road.
Prediction
I think this could be a fun game, especially with the New York Offense apparently clicking in their 4 road games this season. They have surpassed 100 points in 6 of their last 7 games and this is something that Charlotte have to be aware of.
The Bobcats have been playing teams close in recent games but it could be a different story against a team that can put up big points. What we have seen is the Bobcats matching teams and being able to change their own tempo on such occasions to keep games competitive.
I think my pick here is going to be Over 204.5 points. This is especially down to the fact that the Knicks are scoring points for fun at the moment. I expect the Bobcats to keep up as best they can and would not be surprised if both teams exceed the 100 points mark.
I'll take the Overs here.
The Pick :
New York Knicks 113-108 Charlotte Bobcats
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take Over 204.5 Points
