NBA Basketball
2010-11-30 - New Jersey Nets at New York Knicks
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 30 November 2010 - Tip-Off 7:30pm ET
12:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The New York Knicks (9-9) must wish they could play every one of their games away from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have a winning record on the road this season but are only 2-5 at home, but will be hoping to improve that record against the New Jersey Nets (6-11).
The Knicks are taking advantage of a favourable schedule to improve in recent weeks and pick up 6 wins from their last 7 games, all the wins coming against sides with losing records and 5 of those taking place on the road.
Raymond Felton is proving himself to be a suitable foil for the big name signing Amare Stoudemire. Felton continued his strong play while suffering with a stomach bug in the win over the Detroit Pistons, while Stoudemire is now averaging 27 points per game during the last 7 games.
New York has only been visited by 1 team with a winning record this season, and that was when the Atlanta Hawks left town with a W on Saturday and also snapped the Knicks 5 game winning run.
New Jersey are having their issues on the road this season, but are much improved from their terrible last season. They come into this game on a 5 game road skid, but they do have a chance to win back to back games for only the 2nd time this season.
The play of Devin Harris is key to the Nets' chances of winning games. Harris is averaging 22 points per game in the last 4 outings, although he was only at 12 points per game in the previous 4. They are a young team and there are still some real inconsistencies in their play.
Head to Head
The teams split their season series 2-2 last season, both winning 1 game each on the other's court. The Knicks are 2-3 at Madison Square Garden against the Nets.
The underdog in this series is 8-3-1 against the spread over the last 12 meetings.
Both teams have winning records against the spread this season, but the New York Knicks are especially on fire, going 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.
The Knicks are 2-4-1 against the spread at home this season while the Nets are 6-3 on the road.
Prediction
This match is not just a regular season game, but it could be looked at as one where the two teams are fighting for the right to sign Carmelo Anthony.
The New York Knicks have been playing well in recent games, taking advantage of the kind schedule they have been handed and they have a big chance to move above .500 here. The Nets are a team that has been playing teams tough all year as they have markedly improved from their debacle of a season last year.
I just feel the Knicks have a little too much ability to score points and I feel the Nets will find it hard to keep up with the high scoring Offense of New York. I have a few issues with the Knicks since they have struggled a lot more in front of their expectant crowd than when they are playing on the road, but I will take my chances on them to cover the spread.
I'll pick the Knicks to win and cover.
The Pick :
New York Knicks 108-99 New Jersey Nets
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll pick New York Knicks - 4.5 Points
