New York Knicks (38-27) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (18-46)
The 2023-24 NBA season continues Thursday, March 14, with a loaded six-game slate, including this interconference showdown at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, so here’s the Knicks vs. Trail Blazers top pick.
This is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Knicks won the first meeting between these teams, winning in New York on January 9, 112-84. New York was the favorite in this competition (-13.0) with a total set at 229.0. New York will be without Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randall. Portland has plenty of injuries, including Malcolm Brogdon, Shaedon Sharpe, Robert Williams and Jabari Walker, all of whom are out. Jerami Grant and Rayan Rupert are listed as questionable.
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The Knicks eliminate the 76ers
The New York Knicks (38-27, 33-30-2 ATS) beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday 106-79. New York is now 5-5 in its last 10 games, holding onto fourth place in the Eastern Conference. This is the first game of a four-game road trip for the team as the Knicks are 16-14 on the road.
New York made 50.6% of its shots while limiting the 76ers to 37.5% from the field. The club went 14-40 from three-point range as it took a 12-point lead in the first quarter and led by 18 at halftime. Philadelphia was never in this game, even dominated on the glass, 51-31.
“I think we played to our strengths” Josh Hart said. “I think we played faster. We took care of the ball. We rebounded the ball. We cut, we moved, we made good shots.
I had DUB at daycare! ????
Josh 20 PTS | 19 REC | 10 AST
Jalen 20 PTS | 9AST | 4 RECs
Including 16 PTS | 4AST | 2 RECs
JO 14 PTS | 4 RECs | 2AST | 1 STL
Deuce 13 PTS | 2 RECs | 2AST
Precious 13 PTS | 8 RECs | 2 BLACK pic.twitter.com/lSsQb0nSBQ– NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 13, 2024
Hart had a triple-double, scoring 20 points, adding 19 rebounds and 10 assists. Hart continues to impress this season, averaging 16.1 points and 10.0 rebounds in his last 10 games.
New York is 25 years oldth in success percentage (46.1%) but 11th of the success percentage on the opponent’s field (47.0%). They did a good job of not getting into trouble, ranking fourth in opponent free throws per game (19.7).
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The Trail Blazers trampled by the Celtics
The Portland Trailblazers (18-46, 30-34-0 ATS) were crushed by the Boston Celtics on Monday, 121-99. Portland faces Atlanta on Wednesday, but this preview was written before that contest concluded. This is the final matchup of a six-game homestand that has seen the club go 1-3 through the first four games. The Trail Blazers are 10-23 at home (13-20-0 ATS).
Boston dominated this contest from the start, as they led by nine after the first quarter and by 14 at the break. The Trail Blazers made all 11 of their free throw attempts, but made 13 fewer shots than Boston. Boston made 12 more three-point attempts in this game, going 15-40.
T????U pic.twitter.com/Oo31CHEPXQ
– Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 12, 2024
Portland was led by Deandre Ayton, who had 22 points and 15 rebounds. Ayton has been on a tear lately, averaging 22.4 points and 14.6 rebounds over his last five games. At home, he averages 15.8 points and 11.6 rebounds.
This is a Portland team that isn’t very good at shooting the ball, 29th in percentage of success on the field (44.1%), and there are 25th in three-point shooting (35.3%). The Trail Blazers are 27 years oldth for opponent field goal percentage (49.4%), but is fourth in field goals per game allowed (86.6).
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New York has faced Portland in the last two meetings, winning each game by at least 16 points and their last five victories against the Trail Blazers have all been by 11 points or more. While the teams have been split over the last 10 meetings, when the Knicks beat the Trail Blazers, they do it handily, and that’s why they’re 7-3-0 ATS in Last 10 meetings.
Portland has been a mess lately, losing 13 of its last 16 games. New York is only 5-5 in their last 10 games, but they are playing much better basketball.
Prediction: Take the New York Knicks at -8.5 (-110)
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Punters responded after setting the total at 229.0 in the last match, only to see the teams combine for 196 points. Those teams had topped the previous three, but Portland has been an inconsistent offense of late, scoring 99 against Boston. They have been held under 100 points in three of their last nine games.
New York has been enjoying great defense lately, holding their last three opponents to under 80 and four of their last five to under 100. This is shaping up to be another tough day for the Trail Blazers.
Prediction: go under 212.5 (-110)
